HESNA MIHEMED

Shahba- Since the “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” uprising that sparked in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan following the killing of Jina Mahsa Amini, the Iranian regime has intensified its oppressive policies against women, sentencing labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi to death on July 4, and journalist Pakhshan Azizi on July 23. Women journalists and activists in North and East Syria have already expressed their reactions to the death sentences. On August 12, 2024, the Women’s Press Union (YRJ), a women journalists’ organization based in northeastern Syria, started a petition against the death sentences given to labor activist Sharifeh Mohammadi and journalist Pakhshan Azizi by the Iranian regime. NuJINHA spoke to Sîdra Memo and Zana Roj, two journalists based in northeastern Syria.

 “We condemn the death sentence against two women in Iran,” said Sîdra Memo, reporter of Jin TV. “In many countries, women journalists are prevented and banned from doing their profession because they reveal the truth. The misogynist policies of the Iranian regime target women. Since the beginning of the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadî’ uprising, women in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan have taken to the streets to protest the patriarchal mindset. The Iranian regime has arrested thousands of women demanding freedom and sentenced them to death by violating all international conventions.”

‘We will be the voice of all women’

Mentioning the petition started by the YRJ, Sîdra Memo said, “The petition started by the YRJ will make the voices of women in Iran heard all around the world. As women journalists of Afrin and Shahba, we support the petition and we will raise our voice against the executions. The death sentences given to Sharifeh and Pakhshan Azizi are actually given to all women. As women journalists, we will be the voice of all women struggling against the patriarchal mindset.”

‘The death sentences are against all women’

“A policy of violence and oppression has been carried out against women in Iran,” said Zana Roj, reporter of Ronahî newspaper. “Such policies are the policies of the patriarchal mindset. The Iranian regime has carried out an oppressive policy against women activists, protesters since the beginning of the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ uprising. In July 2024, Iran sentenced two women to death. The death penalty should be abolished not only in Iran but also all around the world because it violates the right to life. The death sentences against two women are also against all women.”