Since the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022, the cries of “Jin, Jîyan, Azadî” – “Women, Life, Freedom” – have been unrelenting in Iran. At great risk to life and limb, people across the country, mostly led by women and girls, are taking to the streets to demand the end of the Islamic Republic and a life of equality in Iran. They are fighting against patriarchal oppression, which only gives women half the value of men, against Islamic oppression, forced veiling and the violence against women in Sharia law.
“Women are not regarded as equal subjects, but are reduced to objects with a reproductive function. The sexualized image of women functions as a means of political power in Iran. Sexual violence and rape are considered appropriate punishment,” explains Christine Zunke, HVD Federal Representative for Women* and Diversity. “But many men in Iran show solidarity with the courageous protests of women, because it is clear to them: the degree of freedom of women determines the degree of freedom of all!”
The important struggle against oppression and for basic fundamental rights in Iran has now spread throughout the country and has captured a large part of civil society, regardless of age, ethnicity or gender. “This impressive movement deserves our active and resolute support,” says Katrin Raczynski, member of the board of the HVD Bundesverband. “The activities of the democratic states to date are not enough here – not even those of our federal government, which has committed itself to a feminist foreign policy: A reorientation of German Iran policy that focuses on the observance of women’s and human rights is overdue. Above all, a strong voice is needed to exert pressure on the Iranian government to ensure that human rights are respected.”
Together with the Center for Human Rights in Iran, the Humanist Association of Germany (HVD) is calling on the Iranian government:
- End the imprisonment and violence against women who demand basic rights and freedoms in Iran!
- Stop the physical and sexual violence against imprisoned women and protesters!
- End all executions of political prisoners and revoke all death sentences against protesters!
The German government must make it clear to those responsible in Iran that personal accountability is also demanded for the permanent violation of human rights. And it must punish those known to be responsible today wherever possible. To this end, the UN Human Rights Commission decided last fall to document human rights violations in Iran.
Women’s rights are human rights – “Women, life, freedom!”
