News Center- Political parties, NGOs and human rights defenders in Rojhilat Kurdistan (Eastern Kurdistan or Iranian Kurdistan) have called for a general strike on September 16, marking the second anniversary of the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom)” uprising that sparked in Iran following the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini by Iran’s so-called “morality police”. Since the call, many organizations and movements have released statements, expressing that they will join the strike.

“September 16 marks the anniversary of the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini and the beginning of the uprising in which our loved ones and children sacrificed their lives for victory,” said the statement released by the Kurdistan Mothers for Justice. “On the eve of the second anniversary, we express our support to the call of Kurdish activists and call on all families to support each other and visit the graves of our loved ones on September 16. We call on the people of Kurdistan to stay at home, close their shops and not go to work on September 16.”

Call for a general strike

20 civil society organizations have also published a joint statement, announcing that they will join the strike. “Since the killing of Jina Amini, people of Rojhilat and Iran have been subjected to many human rights violations. Arbitrary arrests, torture, executions, and oppression have become common practices of the Iranian government's security forces,” the statement said. “Despite international condemnation, Iranian authorities continue to oppress Kurds and other opponents. A common action and attitude is a must now. On the eve of the second anniversary of the killing of Jina, political parties, civil society organizations and human rights activists have called for a general strike across Eastern Kurdistan on September 16, 2024. We express our support to the call and call on all people in Kurdistan and Iran to join the strike. We also call on the international community to pay more attention to the rights violations against the Kurdish people in Iran.”