A high-profile conference entitled “The Women-Led Uprising in Iran: Iran at the Crossroads Between Repression or Revolution?” is currently underway in Brussels.
Organised in cooperation with the Kurdish Institute of Brussels, the conference aims to amplify the voices of Iranian women and explore the role of Kurdish perspectives in Iran’s democratisation process.
The conference began with an opening session featuring notable speakers, including Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats MEP Costas Mavrides, Democratic Platform of Iran spokesperson Azad Karimi, and an Iranian Women’s Movement activist, Ellahe Sadr. Their speeches set the stage for engaging discussions on pressing issues faced by Iran.
The first panel, “Historical Roots of the Current Crisis,” delved into the underlying factors contributing to the current situation in Iran. Moderated by Rojin Mukriyan, the panel featured esteemed speakers such as Greens/European Free Alliance MEP François Alfonsi, Professor Abbas Vali, Behruz Buçani, Meysam Beit Seyed, Shima Silavi, and Fariba Balouch. Their discussions provided historical context and explored the multifaceted dimensions of the crisis.
The upcoming panels will delve into Kurdish perspectives and responsibilities in the democratisation of Iran, as well as propose solutions for a way forward. The second panel, moderated by Diman Sohrabi, will highlight the crucial role of Kurdish perspectives and feature speakers such as Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats MEP Evin İncir, Komala Kurdistan’s Organisation of the Communist Party of Iran (Komalah) spokesperson Ebrahim Alizadeh, Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) leader Mustafa Hijri, and the joint leader of Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), Siamand Moeini.
The third panel, moderated by Soheila Shariari, will focus on proposing solutions for a democratic Iran. Speakers, including Behreme Rehmani, Nasser Boladai, Said Hamidan, and Maryam Fathi, will share insights and recommendations for overcoming the crisis. The panel will highlight the importance of international support and solidarity in the struggle for freedom and human rights in Iran.
