Parties and political movements from Rojhilat (Eastern Kurdistan/Western Iran) are calling for a general strike in Kurdistan on the first anniversary of the "Jin Jiyan Azadî" (Woman, Life, Freedom) resistance on 16 September, which followed the murder of Kurdish woman Jina Amini in Tehran.

The HDKÎ (Democratic Movement of Kurdistan-Iran), Komele (Communist Party of Iran), PJAK (Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan), Sazimanî Xebat (Organization of Iranian Kurdistan Struggle),PAK (Freedom Party of Kurdistan) and Komeleya Zehmetkêşên Kurdistanê (Community of Labourers of Kurdistan) released a joint appeal on 6 September calling for a general strike in the whole of Kurdistan on 16 September, when all shops, markets, businesses and administrative centres should remain closed. 

The Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK) and the Movement for Freedom and Democracy in Rojhilat (KODAR) also released a statement calling for strong participation in the general strike and underlining that the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" uprising is a cultural and mental revolution for the whole society in Iran.

The statement released on Thursday includes the following:

"The 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' revolution that started on 16 September 2022 to protest against the murder of Jina Amini was a significant revolution in all its political, social and economic aspects. It reached its peak when our people took to the streets and shouted the slogan 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' together. Today we are on the threshold of the first anniversary of this revolution. During the uprising, many young people sacrificed their lives for the great goals of the revolution, many were injured, many were arrested, tortured and murdered. There was mourning in every house. As PJAK and KODAR, on the first anniversary of this revolution, we wish that the important achievements of the revolution will benefit all the peoples of Iran, the families of the martyrs and the wounded.

The wave of cultural and intellectual revolution that emerged from the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' revolutionary movement is based on women's liberation. Equal rights for men and women, the struggle against racism, especially against the policies of the cruel Iranian regime, are the foundations of this revolution. The promise of this revolutionary movement is the liberation of society through the freedom of women. The call for equality between men and women as a basic and natural right was raised in the streets. Despite all political, social, psychological, economic and administrative dimensions, the women's question must be considered as the basis of all problems and women's struggle for autonomy and independence must be respected in all areas.

The revolution is based on women's will and power to change. Therefore, it has brought about a radical change in all areas of life and society has opened its arms to this revolution because it does not accept authority and discrimination. Women have proved that they can unite all peoples and classes of Iran. This is how the goals of the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' revolution and its achievements became concrete. Undoubtedly, under the leadership of free women, this revolution will succeed and achieve its goals.

One of the principles and achievements of this revolution is reconciliation and unity between peoples. It was shown on the streets that people of Kurdish, Baloch, Persian, Azerbaijani, Arab and other identities are together indispensable components of this revolution. The consensus formed in this process is proving to be the most important means to achieve the goals of the revolution and a radical democratisation of Iran. Today, people of all classes and attitudes are participating in this movement at all levels. The professional organisations of teachers, workers and pensioners, the Friday demonstrations in the city of Zahedan, the efforts of writers, intellectuals and university lecturers, the creative efforts of artists and the resistance of political prisoners have kept the revolution alive. The Yarsani also play an important role in the revolution. The streets made it clear that anti-life, anti-environment and anti-socialism will not win. Free thought is the manifesto of the people's democratic revolution and must be defended.

Undoubtedly, a democratic Iran and a free Kurdistan will be established through the unity of the people. The revolution in Iran is based on the serious problems of the oppressed in general and the oppressed peoples in particular. This is especially true for the Kurdish question. One of the main reasons for the escalation of the devastating crises in Iran is the oppression of the peoples. The Kurdish people are among the most oppressed peoples in Iran. Therefore, the democratisation of Iran and the freedom of the other peoples will not be possible without a solution to the Kurdish question. The Kurdish people are the most important pillar of the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' revolution. With its vanguard role in this revolution, it has rendered a service to the whole of Iran. The basic demand of the revolution is the recognition of the rights of all peoples based on the principles of freedom and democracy. A permanent struggle against fascism and chauvinism is necessary.

The organisation of society in the further course of the revolution is a basic prerequisite for the social struggle. The revolution has succeeded in shaking the foundations of the existence of this system. Therefore, the policy of extortion, torture and killings used by the regime does not bring results. On the first anniversary of the revolution, it is a moral, political and intellectual task to continue the revolution. As PJAK and KODAR, we have organised a campaign on the occasion of the first anniversary of the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' revolution with the participation of the parties of Eastern Kurdistan.

We call on the people of Eastern Kurdistan to go on a general strike and to close all markets and shops. This call for a general strike is also addressed to the entire Iranian people.

We call on all people, especially the Kurdish people, to come to the graves of the martyrs of the revolution on 16 September. On the first anniversary of the 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' revolution, we will condemn this fascist, brutal and genocidal system and pay our respects to the martyrs. The freedom and democracy of all peoples of Iran and Eastern Kurdistan can only be enforced in the streets. We express our support to the fighters from the civil society and pro-freedom organisations and call on all women, youth, intellectuals, teachers, workers, students, professional and civil rights organisations, human rights and environmental organisations, writers, artists and all classes in Iran, Eastern Kurdistan and abroad, especially in Europe, to protest and resist. Be ready everywhere on 16 September.

The 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadî' revolution is a cultural and mental revolution of the whole Iranian society. It is the duty of everyone to engage and fight against the dictatorship and the fascist Iranian system. The willingness to do so paves the way for freedom and democracy. The freedom of the Kurdish people is linked to the freedom of Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan]."