Woman. Life. Freedom. — Ways to Help Protesters in Iran
The international community must show solidarity with everyone in Iran defending their rights. #StopTheExecutions #FreeIran
Following the death of Mahsa Jina Amini by the Iranian morality police in September 2022, a series of protests in favor of women’s rights and freedom, as well as against the brutality of the mentioned morality police, sparked in approximately 80 cities across Iran. Soon, in many cities, the demonstrations turned into a revolt against the regime of the Islamic Republic, uniting women and men in the protection of civil and political rights.
As of mid-December 2022, social unrest and nationwide protests that have been called the “biggest challenge” to the government of Iran since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, are ongoing, and, as reported by Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); “at least 469 people including 63 children and 32 women, have been killed by security forces in the current protests. Furthermore, at least 39 protesters are currently at risk of execution or death penalty sentences.”
IHR’s Director Mahmood Amiry Moghaddam said: “Not succeeding in quashing protests in the last three months, Islamic Republic leaders are trying to reign by fear through protester executions. Raising the political cost by the political sponsorships, along with street and virtual campaigns and pressure from the international community, can prevent further executions.”
The international community must go beyond expressions of outrage and condemnation and take all necessary measures to pursue accountability for all officials including those in security, intelligence, prosecutorial and judicial positions involved in crimes under international law and other grave violations of human rights, including the right to life. This should include exercising universal jurisdiction to investigate all those suspected of such crimes and issuing arrest warrants when there is sufficient evidence.” — Diana Eltahawy, Amnesty International
Here are five ways we can amplify the voices of protesters and support them in their demands:
Contact your political representatives
Write to your elected officials to demand that your government is taking a stand. If you live in the US, you can find out who your elected officials are by visiting house.gov/representatives and senate.gov.
If you live in the UK, you can find your MP on the government’s official website, or visit writetothem.com.
Demand action from the international community
As published by Global Citizen; you can join Amnesty Iran and a group of 45 Iranian activists in asking that the international community and António Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, send a clear message to the Islamic Republic and Iran’s Supreme Leader, Sayyid Ali Khamenei: immediately halt all planned executions and stop using the death penalty as a tool of political repression against protesters.
Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO); December 10, 2022: In an open letter, Iranian activists have called on Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations, to react to the execution of Mohsen Shekari and the expansion of repression by the Islamic Republic. They wrote: “We are confident that only your immediate reaction, that of world public opinion, as well as democratic governments in the free world, along with enlightened thinkers who love humanity, can we stop the execution and repression machine in Iran.”
Sign petitions
Sign the petition to pressure global powers to raise their voices for the protesters in Iran who have been unjustly sentenced to death.
Raise awareness on social media platforms
Social media is a powerful tool. Raise your voice in the digital space by sharing messages, artwork, or showing solidarity in another way.
Also, you can follow reliable accounts run by advocates and organizations supporting the movement in Iran and help amplify their messages, such as:
- Middle East Matters, a youth-run organization;
- Nazanin Boniadi, actor and Amnesty UK Ambassador;
- Masih Alinejad, activist and journalist;
- Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran, a nonprofit organization;
- Naaz, a Kurdish singer and artist;
- Gissou Nia, Director of Atlantic Council Strategic Litigation Project.
Organize or attend protests in your city
Peaceful demonstrations in solidarity with protesters in Iran have been held in countries around the globe.
