SPÖ-Schieder/Grossmann on the 2nd anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini’s death: “Full solidarity with Women-Life-Freedom”

September 16 marks the anniversary of the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini by the Iranian morality police. She was arrested and severely mistreated because she was said to have not worn her hijab according to regulations. In the wake of her death, a massive protest movement emerged, the Iranian-Kurdish “Woman-Life-Freedom” movement. Andreas Schieder, SPÖ delegation leader in the EU Parliament and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, makes it clear: “The human and women's rights violations that have increased many times over since Amini's murder, in response to the increase in protests, must be condemned in the strongest possible terms!” The oppression of women, ethnic minorities such as Kurds, and the entire civil movement by the fundamentalist regime in Iran is increasing more and more. The brutal persecution of the 'Woman-Life-Freedom' movement makes it clear how urgently a democratic regime change is needed in Iran. The committed, oppressed people, the women and the men in Iran will not give up their fight for freedom and equality.” ****

Elisabeth Grossmann, SPÖ MEP and member of the Committee on Gender Equality, adds: “We are witnessing a historic feminist revolution. For years, thousands of women in Iran have been risking their lives to fight for democracy and human and women's rights and to protest against the theocratic regime. As social democrats, we always look beyond national borders and the freedom fighters in Iran deserve our unconditional solidarity and support. Not only must we not forget the courageous women, we must honor their resistance. Human rights are not a question of gender!” (End) bj