The struggle for women’s rights in Iran will not be defeated by issuing execution verdicts, the Kurdistan Women’s Community (KJK – Komelen Jinen Kurdistan) declared, urging people who employ policies of “femicide, oppression, inequality [and] slavery” to unite against the Iranian regime.
On 23 July, Judge Iman Afshari, the head of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, sentenced Pakhshan Azizi, a Kurdish journalist and civil rights activist from Mahabad, to death. This decision comes after the court had already handed a death sentence to Sharifeh Mohammadi, another female activist from Gilan.
In response, the KJK called on international organisations and women’s movements worldwide to protest against the Iranian Islamic state’s hostility towards women.
“The women of Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat) and Iran initiated the fight for their existence, identity, and freedom in 2022 with the slogan ‘Jin Jiyan Azadi’ (Woman, Life, Freedom). In the 21st century, the Kurdish Women’s Movement has often proclaimed ‘Women’s Century – Women’s Revolution’. This statement has transformed from a claim into a tangible reality,” the KJK said in their statement.
“Kurdish women have demonstrated that we can turn this truth into a revolution. The Women’s Revolution of Rojava exemplifies this claim and has inspired women worldwide. Today, women globally are fighting against the policies of femicide, oppression, inequality, slavery, and the reality of the male-dominated state. They are raising their voices with the powerful message of ‘Jin Jiyan Azadi’,” they added.
The statement also highlighted the efforts to overturn the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi and Sharifeh Mohammadi, emphasising that the struggle of women will triumph over these actions.
“Women have never regretted their resistance and have never stopped fighting oppression. In Kurdistan, their determination to protect their rights remains steadfast,” the KJK added.
Condemning the death sentences of Azizi and Mohammadi, the KJK said, “The Iranian regime must end its repressive measures. Such backward policies will not hinder the women’s struggle. Issuing the death sentences cannot stop society and women from achieving freedom and democracy. Despite severe repression, the women’s movement has grown and will continue to do so.”
The women’s organisation called on “all international institutions, democratic NGOs, women’s movements, and individuals to stand against the Iranian regime’s oppressive actions against women in prisons and all spheres of life and to strengthen the collective struggle.”
