General strike in Rojhilat marks 4th anniversary of Jîna Emînî's death
On the fourth anniversary of Jîna Mahsa Emînî's death in Iranian morality police custody, a general strike called by the Rojhilat Alliance of Political Forces began in cities across Rojhilat, including Sine, Seqiz, Bokan, Meriwan and Diwandere.
RastinewsFour years have passed since Jîna Mahsa Emînî died after being detained by Iran's morality police. A general strike called by the Rojhilat Alliance of Political Forces began across Rojhilat on Wednesday, September 16. Shops and markets shut their doors and streets stood empty in numerous cities, among them Sine, Seqiz, Bokan, Meriwan and Diwandere.
A "historic, united response"
The Rojhilat Alliance of Political Forces, a coalition of six political parties, had urged the public ahead of the anniversary to join the September 16 strike and close their shops and markets. "Once again, we call on all our people to rise on the basis of the September 16 strike, to close their shops and markets, and to give a united and historic response to the Islamic Republic and its inhumane policies," the alliance said.
The alliance stressed that the strike was not merely a commemoration of those killed in the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" uprising, but a peaceful civil action asserting the Kurdish people's political and national demands.
Women's platform calls for support
The Rojhilatê Kurdistan Women's Platform – JÎNA also announced its backing for the alliance's strike call, urging women and young people in particular to halt shops, markets and activities on September 16. The platform further called on international human rights organizations to step up pressure on Iran and to protect detained activists from execution and arbitrary arrest.
Crackdown and troop deployment
According to ANF, the Iranian regime tried to stifle the strike by deploying security forces to Mihabad and pressuring residents. Despite this, a strike-day hush settled over the streets and avenues of Rojhilat's cities from the early morning hours.
Died three days after detention
Jîna Mahsa Emînî, 22, was detained by morality police in Tehran on September 13, 2022, for allegedly wearing her headscarf improperly. She was hospitalized and died on September 16, 2022, three days after her arrest. Her father said at the time that she had died from police beating and torture; Iranian officials denied the claim, insisting she died of "natural causes."
Emînî's death, compounded by the fact that she was Kurdish, sparked mass protests under the slogan "Jin, Jiyan, Azadî" that began in Kurdish cities and quickly spread across Iran. The demonstrations went on to become one of the emblematic movements for women's rights and freedom worldwide.