Iran is experiencing a strong movement for freedom and women’s equality and inclusivity. On September 16th, a 22-year old Iranian woman, Mahsa (Jina) Amini, was detained by the Morality Police for wearing what they perceived as inappropriate hijab (In Iran compulsory hijab is enforced by morality police), and she was later declared dead. This incident ignited nationwide protests with tens of thousands of Iranian women and men taking to the streets to call for Mahsa's killer to be punished as well as for women’s rights. "Woman, life, freedom" is the rallying cry of the people in opposition to all forms of oppression they have suffered over the years. 

In response, the government has suppressed demonstrations and killed and detained may more men and women in the streets rather than paying attention to their call for justice. In the early of the new academic semester, riot police clashed with students at Sharif University of Technology, and continued with many other universities and schools. Iranian security forces fired shots, and a large number of students were arrested and imprisoned. Acts of laying siege to university students, trapping protesting students inside the campus and shooting at them, is not accepted by any law. 

We, academics:

·       Condemn any attack and violence against academics and students at various universities and call on the government to withdraw the security forces from university campuses and release all imprisoned people.

·       Call on the Iranian government and security forces to stop the repression of Iranian people. 

·       Call on the entire intellectual world to support the brave Iranian people demanding Freedom and Justice in their country.

In conclusion, we invite representatives of the academy and students of any fields of study to sign this petition against the oppression of Iranian people. If you support this initiative, please support our action by signing and by sharing: 

Let us make a #AcademicsForceForFreeIran until justice has been served.

Supported by the Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP) 

#mahsa_amini                                                   

#Woman_Life_Freedom

 

Source:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Mahsa_Amini

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/mahsa-aminis-death-is-tipping-point-says-us-based-iranian-journalist-2022-09-27/

https://time.com/6214636/mahsa-amini-iran-death-outcry/

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/03/middleeast/iran-protests-sharif-university-crackdown-intl/index.html