This campaign alongside many others has already had some positive results, e.g. European and American reporters referring to protests in Iran during their broadcasts or the American players expressing solidarity with the Iranian people during their pre-match press conference. There was also the Italian Mario Ferri running on the field in the match between Portugal and Uruguay with a rainbow flag in hand and “respect for Iranian woman” (sic) inscribed on the back of her T-shirt. All of these incidents brought some attention to the Iranian uprising at a time when the eyes of the world are focused on the world cup. Meanwhile, the dirty coordination between the Islamic Republic, FIFA and Qatar’s security apparatus created some serious challenges for those who were trying to spread the message of solidarity with the Iranian people during the world cup.
Since the start of the world cup, the Islamic Regime of Iran has carried out more than 12 executions in Kashan, Zahedan, Mashhad, Isfahan, Ilam, Sabzevar, Bandar Abbas and Iranshahr prisons. Also, a number of prisoners have been transferred to solitary confinement before the execution of their death sentences. Additionally, several death sentences issued by the Supreme Court are confirmed daily, and there is growing fear that the repressive regime will carry out mass killings among the country's prisoners in order to instill more terror in the population.
According to the latest statistics, since the beginning of the protests (between September 17 and December 1, 2022), more than 462 people have been killed, among them 64 children. The latest published statistics indicate that there are more than 18,000 detainees, held in the most inhumane conditions, at the risk of severe torture, rape and execution.
We ask all players and coaches in the teams still in the World Cup, all remaining reporters and other dignitaries present, to support the Iranian people, and to NOT allow the corrupt and fully armed security forces of the barbaric regime to implement their sinister goals in the coming days. Be IRAN’s voice and support human rights against the Islamic Republic’s medieval oppression.
Campaign to Support “Woman, Life, Freedom” at World Cup 2022