On September 13, 2022, Jina ‘Mahsa’ Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman from the Kurdish minority, was arrested for allegedly failing to comply with the country’s strict dress code for women by wearing what was characterized as an “incorrect” hijab. Three days later, she was dead. The investigation into her death sought to exonerate the police and lacks credibility. Available evidence in the case points to her death as a result of police brutality.
Amini’s death and the authorities’ cover-ups sparked nationwide protests across the country, where women and young people took the lead under the banner “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi” (“Women, Life, Freedom”). The protests spread to 160 cities and all 31 provinces in the country. All segments of the population participated and demanded an end to the theocratic, dictatorial regime.
In a statement supported by Norwegian and Iranian organisations, we call on Norway and like-minded states to strengthen their policies in the UN and bilaterally, and to increase support for Iranian human rights organisations.