Joint Petition of Women’s and Human Rights Activists: Ending Anti-Women Laws, Preventing Femicide, and Supporting Victims of Domestic Violence in Iran
278
Signatures
500
Goal
November 14, 2024
We, feminists and human rights advocates from diverse backgrounds—Arab, Kurdish, Persian, Turk, and Baluch—stand united for human rights and social justice. Together, we raise our voices against the systemic domestic violence and femicide taking place in Iran. The ongoing femicides and lack of legal protections for women reveal a deep crisis within the country’s legal framework. Through this petition, we demand immediate, comprehensive reforms to end this cycle of violence and discrimination, support victims of femicide and their families, and enact laws to prevent femicide and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.
1. End Discriminatory Laws and Protect Women
The current laws in Iran fail to protect women from child marriage, forced marriage, and domestic violence. We demand comprehensive reform of civil, criminal, and family law to establish clear frameworks that protect women from all forms of violence and discrimination.
2. Enact Legislation to Prevent Femicide
A comprehensive law is urgently needed to prevent femicide and domestic violence in Iran. This law must include severe penalties for perpetrators whose actions stem from gender inequality and patriarchal beliefs. We call on the government to make these legal changes and enforce them to address the cultural and social roots of violence against women.
3. Justice for Perpetrators of Femicide
We stand with the family of Nazila Khousha, a young woman killed by her husband in Zahedan, and all other victims of femicide, in calling for justice. Nazila was only 19 years old when she was murdered after enduring torture and abuse. Her death must not go unaddressed. We demand a public trial and fair punishment for Nazila’s killers and others like them, to set a precedent in the fight against this violence.
4. Provide Psychological and Financial Support to Victims’ Families
Families who have lost loved ones to femicide and domestic violence need support. Government and non-governmental organizations must provide these families with psychological, legal, and financial assistance to help them cope and rebuild their lives. In Nazila Khousha’s case, her family lacks financial resources and is seeking judicial and forensic action to ensure her blood is not shed in vain.
5. Reform Discriminatory Beliefs Through Public Awareness
To tackle the cultural roots of femicide and violence against women, we need comprehensive public awareness programs. We call on the government and educational institutions to develop initiatives in schools, universities, and public spaces that challenge discriminatory beliefs and raise awareness of women’s rights and dignity.
6. Establish Safe Houses for Women at Risk
Safe houses are urgently needed to protect women at risk of femicide and domestic violence. These shelters must be equipped to provide legal, psychological, and medical support to women and their children, helping them escape abusive environments.
7. Request International Oversight for Women’s Rights in Iran
As the internal legal system and governmental structures have so far failed to protect women adequately, we urge international human rights organizations and the United Nations to step up their monitoring and support, ensuring women’s rights and protections in Iran.
We, the undersigned, call on activists, human rights organizations, and all those committed to justice, women’s rights, and gender equality to support this petition. Let our voices be heard, and let us bring about fundamental change to protect the rights and safety of women in Iran.
Initial Signatories:
- - Negin Sheikholislami Vatani
- - Ghazaleh Motamed
- - Katayoon Keshavarzi
- - Sara Afrasiabi
- - Baloch Women Movement
- - Roza Sabet
- - Laiba Aram
- - Baloch Women’s Campaign
- - Fariba Balouch
- - Fariba Barhanzehi
Recent events
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See where all the votes are coming from
Province Number of signatures Alborz 5 Ardabil 2 Bushehr 0 Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari 0 East Azerbaijan 5 Fars 4 Gilan 8 Golestan 0 Hamadan 2 Hormozgan 1 Ilam 1 Isfahan 4 Kerman 4 Kermanshah 1 Khuzestan 1 Kohgiluyehv And Boyer Ahmad 0 Kurdistan 0 Lorestan 0 Markazi 0 Mazandaran 1 North Khorasan 0 Qazvin 1 Qom 0 Razavi Khorasan 2 Semnan 0 Sistan and Baluchestan 2 South Khorasan 1 Tehran 43 West Azerbaijan 3 Yazd 1 Zanjan 0 This petition has received 278 signatures so far. Approximately 82% of signatures come from Iran. Approximately 18% of signatures come from outside of Iran. Learn how Daadkhast generates signature maps. -
Latest signatures
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Signed via Telegram -
برای پیشگیری از زنکُشی و کاهش آسیبهای ناشی از خشونت خانگی، کودکهمسری، و قتل ناموسی، همراه با تغییر قوانین موجود.
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To prevent femicide, reduce the harms of domestic violence, child marriage, and honor killings, along with amending the current laws.
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To prevent femicide, reduce the harms of domestic violence, child marriage, and honor killings, along with amending the current laws.
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Signed via Telegram
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A group of Iranian feminists started this petition
