HESNA MİHEMED

Shahba- On September 13, 2022, Jina Mahsa Amini was arrested by Iran’s so-called “morality police” in Tehran for “improperly wearing the hijab”. On September 16, 2022, she died in hospital from the injuries. The people attending the funeral of Jina Amini chanted the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi (Women, Life, Freedom)”, starting an uprising that spread across Iran and Rojhilat Kurdistan (Eastern Kurdistan or Iranian Kurdistan). The uprising led by women turned into a revolution.

The ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ uprising was inspired by the revolution in North and East Syria, said Bêrîvan Xelil, Co-chair of Ecology Committee of Afrin/Shahba Canton, and Leyla Hisên, Co-chair of Economy Committee of Afrin/Shahba Canton.

‘A revolution took place against the authority of the Iranian government’

We condemn the Iranian regime that killed Jina Mahsa Amini, said Bêrîvan Xelil. “A revolution took place against the authority of the Iranian government following the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini. The Iranian regime sees women as slaves and it killed Jina Mahsa Amini because her hair was visible. This incident revealed the oppressive authority of the Iranian regime towards women. Women of Iran and Eastern Kurdistan started an uprising against the regime and its policies. Since then, women have been taking to the streets, chanting the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ slogan. Human rights organizations must see themselves responsible for the killings of women and do their part to punish the perpetrators. The ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ revolution has become a hope for women’s freedom not only in Iran but also all around the world.”

‘The uprising was inspired by the revolution in Rojava’

As revolutionary women, we commemorate Jina Mahsa Amini, Leyla Hisên said, adding, “The government forces always use violence against women because they want to destroy women's will and existence and spread fear among women. The governments want to strengthen themselves by enslaving women. The uprising that sparked in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan following the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini spread all over the world. This uprising was inspired by the revolution in Rojava.”

‘This revolution will never stop’

Expressing that the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadî” uprising developed thanks to the philosophy of Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, Leyla Hisên said, “Everyone knows that this uprising developed thanks to his philosophy. The women of Rojava defeated ISIS thanks to his philosophy. The ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ revolution will never stop. Women will ensure victory and freedom with their strong will.”