Female political prisoners in Iran’s Evin Prison have declared their support for a general strike marking the second anniversary of the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement, by beginning a hunger strike on 16 September.
At least 25 women in the women’s wing of Evin Prison gathered in the prison yard on the night of 14 September, to commemorate the anniversary of the protests that erupted after the killing of Jina (Mahsa) Amini by Iranian regime forces in 2022. The prisoners removed their headscarves, set them on fire, and chanted slogans condemning the policy of compulsory hijab. They also wrote slogans on banners and hung them on the prison walls, shouting, “Woman, Life, Freedom!” and naming those killed or executed during the protests.
The protest, which was shared on the social media account of 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi, which stated, “In solidarity with the Iranian people, the women of Evin will begin a hunger strike on Sunday 16 September, to support the general strike.” The message highlighted their defiance towards the regime’s policies, adding that the prisoners “stand firm until the end” against the handing down of death sentences as “the rulers’ revenge on women and on Kurdistan”.
The protest marks two years since the death of Jina Amini sparked the ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement, which has since spread globally as a symbol of resistance against oppression and a call for women’s rights. The prisoners chanted slogans such as “Freedom, Freedom, Freedom!” and sang protest songs, including “Bella Ciao” to express their determination to continue the struggle.
As the anniversary approaches, the prisoners have called for international solidarity and urged people worldwide to support their cause. They appealed for action using hashtags such as #WomanLifeFreedom and #FreePoliticalPrisoners to raise awareness about the ongoing fight for freedom and equality in Iran.
