Washington D.C. September 25, 2022
In the past ten days, the oppressed peoples of Iran, and the Kurdish people in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhelat) in particular, have revolted against the repression of the Islamic Republic of Iran and demanded an end to the Mullas’ ruling.
This latest wave of protests began after the “morality police” killed a young Kurdish woman, Zhina Amini, for “wearing Hijab improperly.” The protests have been increasingly spreading to cities all across Iran. Unfortunately, like the past forty-three years of its brutal rule, the Iranian regime has unleashed all violent measures to end the uprising.
So far, more than 50 civilians have been killed and hundreds injured by Iranian security forces in the Kurdistan Region alone, in addition to imprisonment of thousands of Kurds.
The actions of the Iranian regime violate all international protocols on human rights and freedoms. Therefore, the international community, especially the United States and the European Union (EU), have a moral responsibility to assist the people of Iran, especially the Kurds in Rojhelat who have received the harshest treatment.
In light of the current developments, the international community should open diplomatic channels to the Kurdish people and political parties in Rojhelat and provide aid to the persecuted people. At the same time, political parties, media channels, and civil society organizations worldwide should support and assist in conveying the voice of the oppressed to the world.
May the soul of Zhina and all the martyrs rest in peace.
Sierwan Najmaldin Karim
President,
Washington Kurdish Institute