5 June 2024
We, the undersigned, urgently call for the immediate release of Jina Modarres Gurji, a courageous Kurdish feminist and women's rights activist from Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, Iran. Jina has been shockingly sentenced to 21 years in prison by the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj on baseless charges. This sentence is not only unprecedented but also grossly unfair and unjust.
Background:
Jina Modarres Gurji has been a prominent figure in advocating for women's rights and equality. Her activism, rooted in a deep commitment to justice and human dignity, has led to her being targeted by the Iranian authorities. On September 21, 2022, Jina was first arrested during the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement and was released on bail after 40 days. She was re-arrested on April 10, 2023, and after 84 days in detention, she was again released on a hefty bail of 5 billion tomans.
On April 9, 2024, the last session of her court hearing concluded, resulting in a devastating 21-year prison sentence. The charges against her are as follows:
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10 years for "forming an illegal gang to overthrow the regime"
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10 years for "collaborating with hostile groups and governments"
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1 year for "propaganda against the regime"
The court further listed the following accusations against Jina:
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Establishing the Zhivano Association with a feminist ideology aimed at subversion
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Purposeful participation in rallies and expression of subversive slogans
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Connection with counter-revolutionary elements
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Participation in conferences and international training workshops
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Publishing materials online and conducting interviews with foreign media to criticize the situation in Iran and heighten societal tensions after the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini
The 21-year sentence imposed on Jina Modarres Gurji is a stark example of the severe repression faced by activists in Iran. Her peaceful efforts to advocate for women's rights and freedom should be celebrated, not criminalized. This sentence is not justifiable, even by the arbitrary standards of the courts of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It represents an egregious violation of human rights and a blatant attempt to silence a brave voice of dissent.
Our Demands:
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Immediate Cancellation of the Sentence: We demand the immediate cancellation of Jina Modarres Gurji's unjust sentence and her unconditional release.
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International Condemnation: We urge human rights organizations and the international community to condemn this ruling and apply pressure on the Iranian government to reverse it.
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Protection for Activists: We call for increased protection for human rights activists in Iran, ensuring they can work without fear of arbitrary detention and harsh penalties.
We appeal to human rights organizations, international bodies, and all individuals who believe in justice to join us in the fight against the violence and oppression faced by Jina Modarres Gurji and many other activists in Iran. Together, we can amplify our voices and demand justice for Jina and all those unjustly imprisoned. Sign this petition to stand in solidarity with Jina Modarres Gurji and to demand her immediate release.
فهرست «اتهامات» مسخره است، ژینا مدرس گرجی هیچ جرمی مرتکب نشده است.