Korean human rights civil society organizations' statement on the Iranian government's suppression of women's protests related to hijab

Hello. We are 52 civil rights organizations in Korea.

After the death of Mahsha Amini, who was taken to the police for not wearing her hijab properly on September 13, protests have continued to condemn women's wearing hijab and state violence. The state should not control women on wearing hijabs. The demand for individual choice on wearing hijab, as well as the investigation and punishment of those responsible for the deaths, are all very legitimate.

But the deaths are increasing as Iran's government is cracking down on women's freedom of dress and not apologizing for state violence. The protection of women's rights is everyone's demand, as it is spreading to 80 cities triggered by the "hijab suspicious death" and men as well as women in Iran are joining.

South Korea's human rights civil society groups support Iran's hijab protests and call on the Iranian government to stop controlling women's bodies, stop controlling their clothing, and stop state violence.

A society where women die because they show their hair is an anti-human rights society. Revealing oneself can't be a crime. It is courage. Even if Iran is a religious state based on an Islam religion, it cannot justify control over the individual's body, and freedom of expression. Every individual's right to self-determination is a human right that should be respected. It is a basic right that should be guaranteed beyond gender, religion, and country. The outdated policy of suppressing women's basic rights on the grounds of religion should be abolished.

Moreover, despite the suspicious death of a woman caught with the matter of wearing a hijab, the lack of active punishment and prevention of recurrence goes against Iran's minimum duty to protect democracy and human rights. State power should be used to protect the human rights of the people, NOT by suppressing the people. Women's rights are gradually taking a step forward as women keep shouting that women are equal and dignified. The current hijab protests in Iran will push everyone's human rights forward. This is the reason everyone is together regardless of gender in Iran. We strongly ask the Iranian government to meet these international trends and international human rights standards.

Human Rights Civil society organizations in Korea demand,

First, the Iranian government should stop suppressing protesters who refuse to wear hijabs and condemn state violence.

Second, President Lacy is responsible for the death of Ms. Amini. Find out the truth and take measures to prevent recurrences.

Third, stop cracking down on women's compulsory wear of hijab, which ignores their right to self-determination.

Demonstrated by support flows around the world, solidarity with Iran's hijab-related protests is transcending borders, gender, and race. Solidarity with those who resist injustice is the power to protect human rights and democracy. Violence cannot silence human rights forever. As can be seen from the transition from "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, we're together", to "Be afraid, be afraid. We are all together," by the Iranian protesters, the voice of human rights resisting injustice is rising more vigorously. Korean human rights civil society organizations will also join forces with Iran's protest against coercive hijab wearing and violation of women’s rights. We insist that the Iranian government now listen to the voices of citizens around the world demanding a guarantee of women's rights and an apology for national violence.

2022. 10. 5.

Open Net Korea, Korean Disability Forum, KPTU korean healthcare worker's trade union seoul, Advocates for Public Interest Law, Asian Companions Against Brutality, Korean house for international solidarity, Korea Christian Action Organization, Korea Refugee Rights Network, Refugee Rights Center, Green Party Korea, Solidarity for Another World, Flaming Feminist Action, Committee for women's movement (March to Socialism), People's Solidarity for Social Progress, Yongsan Nanum House Anglican Church of Korea, Sungkonghoe University humrights committee, PFLAG Korea, Studio R, Korean healthcare worker's trade union, Activists group for Human Rights ‘BARAM’, Korea Women’s Alliance, Solidarity Against Disability Discrimination, Network for Glocal Activism, People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Transgender Liberation Front, PlatformC, YWCA KOREA, Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, KOREAN WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION UNITED, Korea Womenlink, Korea Migrant Human Rights Center, People not profit, Chungnam Youth Human Rights Association 'INYEON', Social mission group 'HKHN', Feminist Anti-war Resistance, Switch, Climate Crisis Strike of Namyangju, Collective Doingle ARound

Korea Women’s Political Solidarity etc 52 NGO.

and

Annie, KIM Chanho, Susannah Choi, KO GAHEE, Kim Sejung, heewon kim, Kim jin sung, Taeyoon Kim, Kim taehun, kim hyeo moon, Kim Kee Su, Kim Su Jin, Myoung Sook, Minyeong KIM Han, Park Sung Jin, Sung Mee Sun, Haneul Shin, Anna, OH SUYEON, LEE KYUNG A, Lee Jiyeon, TAEHEE LEE, Lim Soi, Lim Eun Kyung, 임현기, jang mi ja, sunyoung chang, Wone Juhn, Jung Min Jung, WOONJEONG JEONG, CHO EUNHYE, Juha, toran, Sung Jisu, Jungeun Kim, Yu He, Oh Duck Jo, WON DONG IL, So Hye Soon, jack, Hong jeung sun, Hong Heejeong, etc 156 citizens.