On Thursday, 10th October 2024, the Iranian Academic Association held a powerful campaign in Manchester city center to raise awareness about the brave Iranian women, girls, and youth prisoners currently facing execution in Iran. The campaign, which was attended by both local supporters and Iranian citizens, aimed to shed light on the human rights violations taking place under the Iranian regime, especially the targeting of young people and women who have participated in peaceful protests.
The campaign was a response to the ongoing crackdown on freedom of expression and peaceful demonstration in Iran, where many of the protestors, often under the age of 25, have been met with brutal and lethal force by security forces. These young people, emboldened by the desire for a more just and equitable society, have faced arrest, torture, and in some cases, execution. Their bravery in the face of overwhelming repression has inspired solidarity movements across the world, with the Manchester event standing as one of many international efforts to spotlight their plight.
The Heartbreaking Story of Ayda: A Symbol of Resistance
During the campaign, organizers shared the tragic and harrowing story of Ayda, a 36-year-old medical doctor who was arrested and tortured to death for assisting a young woman injured in the protests. The young woman Ayda helped had been shot with plastic bullets at close range, resulting in the loss of her sight—just one of the many horrific injuries protestors have suffered. Ayda’s decision to treat the injured woman not only highlights her compassion but also her deep commitment to human rights, values that ultimately cost her life. Her story is emblematic of the countless unsung heroes who have risked everything to stand up for their fellow citizens.
Ayda’s case is far from an isolated incident. Many other doctors, nurses, and civilians who have provided medical aid to protestors have also been targeted by the regime, arrested, and subjected to torture. These human rights abuses have been condemned by international organizations, yet the Iranian government continues to arrest, imprison, and execute individuals in secret, leaving families without answers or recourse for justice.
Secret Executions and the Fight for Justice
One of the central messages of the campaign was the secrecy surrounding the regime’s executions. As explained by a representative of the Iranian Academic Association, the government in Iran has been known to carry out executions in secret, without informing families or allowing for fair trials. Many of those currently imprisoned are young women and men who have been detained for their participation in peaceful protests, an exercise of their fundamental rights. These individuals are often subjected to torture, forced confessions, and sham trials before being executed.
In response to these abuses, the Iranian Academic Association has begun a project to document the names and cases of these brave women, girls, and youth. The association is gathering as much information as possible about those facing execution and is submitting their cases to the United Nations and other international humanitarian organizations. By making these names known on the global stage, the campaign aims to generate pressure on the Iranian government to halt the executions and release those unjustly imprisoned.
A Call to Action
The event in Manchester was not only a moment to raise awareness but also a call to action. Campaigners urged those in attendance to share the stories of Ayda and others like her, to speak out against the injustices occurring in Iran, and to hold governments and international bodies accountable. The collective hope is that with enough global attention, the regime will be forced to reconsider its actions and allow for the safety and release of those in its custody.
The Iranian Academic Association’s efforts continue beyond this single campaign, as they are determined to amplify the voices of those silenced by the regime. By documenting these human rights violations and sharing them with the world, they hope to create a wave of international advocacy that can ultimately protect the lives of Iran’s brave youth, women, and girls.
This campaign was a powerful reminder that the fight for human rights transcends borders, and it is up to all of us to stand in solidarity with those whose lives are at risk.