A Group of Women's Rights Activists Emphasizes 'Continuing the Struggle Until the Victory of the Women, Life, Freedom Movement'

A group of women's rights activists issued a statement on the occasion of the second anniversary of the killing of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini and the beginning of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, which has been signed by 70 individuals as of the time of this report. Among the signatories are activists such as Leila Mirghafari, Raheleh Ahmadi, Soori Babaei Chaghini, Pouran Nazemi, Koukb Badaghi, Fariba Baluch, Mahsa Pirayi, Shiva Mahbubi, Azmat Azdari, Dayeh Sharifeh, and Mahmanir Nadim. The signatories of the statement raised their voices against the 'repressive regime of the Islamic Republic' with slogans such as 'No to Hijab, No to Execution, No to Poverty and Corruption and Inflation' and 'No to the Apartheid of Gender and Sexuality.' The statement recalls that 'the Women, Life, Freedom movement ignited after the killing of Zhina Amini, who fell into a coma and died due to the enforcement of hijab by the morality police. This crime revealed the oppressive and inhumane face of the Islamic Republic regime to the world and ignited the anger of the Iranian people, especially women.' The statement continues, 'Women, Life, Freedom is not just a slogan, but a symbol of the aspirations of millions of Iranians seeking to end tyranny and achieve freedom, equality, and a life of dignity. After the killing of Mahsa Amini, women, students, and youth in Iran began a revolution that is now recognized as the first women's revolution in history.' The statement also highlights the prominent role of political prisoners, especially women in Evin prison, in continuing the movement, emphasizing that they inspire this struggle through their resistance against repression and torture. The struggle of the seekers of justice and the families of the victims is also introduced as one of the essential pillars of this movement, as they seek to prosecute the perpetrators of crimes while standing firm against the regime's threats and pressures. At the end of this statement, activists and signatories referred to nationwide strikes and public protests as an undeniable necessity for the overthrow of the Islamic Republic regime and declared that they will continue their struggle until freedom, equality, social justice, and secularism are achieved.