easa

EASA statement in solidarity with Iranian protests

Since September 16th, Iran has witnessed an unprecedented revolt following the violent death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s morality police. A feminist movement has taken to the streets chanting “Women, Life, freedom”. The education sector is on strike: school teachers, students and professors. Academics are resigning in protest against the mass arrests and secret detentions that have targeted students across the country. This massive movement now involves more than ninety universities and the number is increasing.

The executive committee of the EASA stands in full solidarity with the Iranian academic community, students, colleagues, Iranian civil society, and those committed to fighting for women’s equality and the rule of law. We strongly condemn the violence and repression with which these demands have been met: the killing of dozens of demonstrators, the arbitrary detention of several thousands of people, and the shutdown of Internet access, all of which has been done in order to hide these crimes and hinder the mobilization of opposition.

We invite the international academic community to express their support to the courageous demonstrators and strikers in Iran, and amplify their voice.

Mariya Ivancheva
President, EASA
On behalf of EASA’s Executive Committee
30th September 2022