The Iraqi Civil Society Solidarity Initiative (ICSSI) expressed its support for Iranian women as protests continued throughout the country on day 45 of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Jina (Mahsa) Amini’s death in morality police custody in mid-September.

We strongly condemn the Iranian government’s violent crackdown against protestors in many cities across the country. According to human rights watchdogs from Iran, almost 12,500 people have been arrested and nearly 250 killed since the start of the street protests.

Solidarity is a cross-border term; borders, races, religions, sex, ethnicities or colours never limit it. Solidarity is a stance that any oppressed group or individuals take against any form of oppression.

We, as ICSSI, stand with the Iranian people’s struggle against the oppressive regime ruling country; the Demands of Iranian protesters for democracy and freedom are the beginning of a renaissance that will affect the entire region. The slogan ‘Jin, Jîyan, Azadî’, a Kurdish phrase-meaning woman, life, freedom, has become the slogan of not only a feminist movement but also a freedom movement.

The Iranian regime denies the fundamental rights of ethics and minorities and continues repressing them. Therefore, We call on the international community to act upon Iran’s violation of human rights. The international community must hold the murder of Amini accountable and stop Iran’s aggression.

• ICSSI Secretariat 
  1st of November