Political parties, civil organisations and human rights activists from Eastern Kurdistan have called for a general strike on 16 September to mark the 2nd anniversary of the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini by the Iranian police.

Jîna Emînî, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman, was detained and tortured to death by the ‘morality’ police in Tehran in September 2022. Jina Amini’s death sparked an unprecedented rebellion in Iran and Eastern Kurdistan. This rebellion was called ‘Jin Jiyan Azadî’ (Woman, Life, Freedom).

A statement by the Mothers for Justice in Kurdistan said: “16 September marks the anniversary of the martyrdom of Jina Amini and the beginning of the great revolution in which our loved ones and children sacrificed their lives for victory. On the eve of the second anniversary of the martyrdom of Jina Amini and the beginning of our revolution, we support the call for a strike by Kurdish civil activists and call on all families to embrace one another and visit the graves of our loved ones. We ask the people of Kurdistan to stay at home, not go to work, to close shops and markets on 16 September.”

The call for a general strike on the anniversary of Jina Amini’s death received support from many groups.

20 civil society organisations announced their support for the protests with a joint statement, which said: "Since the assassination of Jina Amini, Eastern Kurdistan and Iran have faced the highest level of human rights violations. Arbitrary arrests, torture, executions and systematic repression have become common practice of the Iranian government's security agencies. Despite international condemnation, the Iranian authorities continue to brutally repress Kurds and other dissenting voices. In the face of this situation, concerted action and behaviour are needed.

On the eve of the second anniversary of Jîna's murder, civil and human rights activists from across the country have called for a general strike across Eastern Kurdistan on 16 September 2024. We express our support for this call and call on all sections of Kurdistan and Iranian society to participate in the general strike in a civil and peaceful manner. We also call on the international community to pay more attention to Kurdish human rights violations in Iran.”