Internationalists in Greece, Macedonia and Italy protested against the death sentences against journalist and social worker Pakshan Azizi and activist Sharifeh Mohammadi in Iran and called for solidarity as part of the “No to Execution, Yes to Free Life” campaign initiated by the East Kurdistan Free Women's Community (KJAR) and other activists.

Athens

Activists from various collectives gathered in Athens and stated that repressive regimes attack women first as the most radical part of society. "We condemn the misogynistic Iranian regime that has imposed death sentences on journalist Pakhshan Azizi and women's rights activist Sharifeh Mohammadi," said the activists. “The two women were accused of an "armed uprising" in unfair sham trials and the death sentences should be cancelled. We are in solidarity with the fighting women in Rojhilat and Iran. Jin Jiyan Azadî!"

Skopje

In Skopje, activists protested in front of the Iranian embassy and demanded the release of Pakhshan Azizi, Sharifeh Mohammadi and the Kurdish woman Warisha Moradi, who is also imprisoned and faces execution for alleged membership of PJAK. The activists declared their solidarity with the fight against the misogynistic Iranian regime and read out an open letter to the rebellious people in Iran: "Keep fighting. Your voices will also be heard in Macedonia and we stand with you."

Turin

In Turin, social workers declared that they support the struggle of women in Rojhilat and Iran against oppression: "Pakhshan Azizi and Sharifeh Mohammadi were tortured and sentenced to death. We demand their immediate release."

Background to the "No to execution, yes to free life" campaign

On 9 May 2010, the Kurdish revolutionary Shirin Alamhouli was executed together with Farzad Kamangar, Ali Heidarian and Farhad Vakili in the notorious Evin prison in Tehran. Alamhouli was an activist in the Kurdish women's movement, Kamangar and his two colleagues worked as teachers. They were convicted of "endangering national security" and "enmity to God" in connection with the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK). On the 14th anniversary of Shirin Alamhouli's death, activists initiated the campaign "No to execution, yes to free life".

"As the Kurdistan Women's Freedom Movement, the Kurdistan Free Women's Association of Eastern Kurdistan (KJAR) and a group of political, civil society, environmental and women's activists, we firmly believe that the death penalty is a violation of human dignity under all circumstances. The death penalty is a denial of life, which is a fundamental natural right of every human being. This is in direct contradiction to our fundamental moral principles and human values. The imposition of the death penalty not only ignores this fundamental principle, but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and revenge that destroys the very essence of our society," said an appeal for the campaign.