On the eve of the second anniversary of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî (Women, Life, Freedom) uprising in Rojhilat (Iranian Kurdistan) and across Iran, numerous Kurdish political parties, human rights organisations, and civil society groups have issued separate calls urging the people to initiate a general strike on 15 September. This call comes despite intensifying repression against the people of Rojhilat in the lead-up to the anniversary.
In addition to political parties, over 19 organisations and civil groups in the diaspora have issued statements supporting the continuation of the struggle against Iran’s theocratic regime. These calls, released on 10 September, urged the people of eastern (Iranian) Kurdistan to unite in a coordinated action by observing a general strike on 15 September.
In its statement, the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) honored the martyrs of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî uprising, acknowledging that while the movement has yet to fully achieve its goals, it has made profound cultural, social, and ideological impacts. PJAK emphasised that these achievements have laid the groundwork for political change on a global scale. The party also underscored the pivotal role of women in leading the revolution, reaffirming the uprising’s core mission of establishing gender equality and challenging the deeply sexist policies of Iran’s Islamic regime.
In its statement, PJAK also called on the people of Rojhelat Kurdistan to join the nationwide strike on September 15, urging a complete shutdown of markets and workplaces. The party invited all Iranian ethnic groups and nationalities to stand in solidarity with the Kurdish people and support the strike.
On a similar note, environmental and human rights actvivist from Sine (Sanandaj) called on the people of Kurdistan to join the strike.
The nationwide leftist network of ‘Zan, Zendegi Azadî ‘ (Women, Life, Freedom) which includes student organisations and grassroots women’s and youth campaigns, also expressed its support for the general strike. In a statement, the network emphasized the importance of continued resistance and organising on as large a scale as possible.
The Kurdistan Organization of the Communist Party of Iran (Komala) similarly voiced its solidarity with the Rojhilat civil activists, and endorsed the strike.
At the same time, 19 Kurdish civil society and human rights organisations in the diaspora issued a joint statement urging the people of Rojhilat to protest the Islamic Republic’s government and its gross human rights violations on 15 September.
In recent days, over 20 women’s and student organisations across Iran have also expressed solidarity with the aim’s of the Jin, Jiyan, Azadî uprising, reiterating their commitment to continuing the struggle against the Islamic regime.
