Statement by Woman Life Freedom Munich on the Fourth Anniversary of the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement

Four years have passed since the beginning of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement — a progressive movement that emerged following the state killing of Mahsa (Jina) Amini and, led by women, became an expression of decades of struggle by people in Iran for freedom, justice, and human dignity.

Jina’s name became, as written on her gravestone, a symbol. It strengthened solidarity, challenged structures of repression and discrimination, and set in motion a profound and lasting transformation in Iranian society.

From the first days, the Islamic Republic responded to this civil and progressive movement with bullets, imprisonment, torture, and executions. It shot at the eyes and hearts of our young people and did not spare children and teenagers. It held the bodies of those killed hostage and persecuted families seeking justice.

This violence continued in the years that followed and culminated in the massacre of Dey 1404, marking some of the bloodiest days in recent history. Before society had even recovered from the wounds and shock of this massacre, war once again exposed people to destruction and insecurity.

Our anger has multiplied over these four years. Yet society has not retreated. Despite all the loss and pain it has endured, it has grown more aware and determined day by day and has created new forms of resistance: from seeking justice, protest, and civil disobedience to art, self-organization, and the creation of solidarity networks inside and outside the country.

This society believes in change and, from the darkness of these difficult times, looks with hope toward brighter days.

At Woman Life Freedom Munich, we honor the memory of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, those killed during this movement, and all victims of the Islamic Republic. In these difficult times, we stand with the people of Iran.

For us, Woman, Life, Freedom is a guiding principle of our work. To move beyond the cycle of violence, war, and religious authoritarianism, we rely on nonviolent resistance, pluralism, and the strength of civil society.

One small editorial choice I made in English is “Four Years of Woman, Life, Freedom” rather than the more literal “Four Years Since the Woman, Life, Freedom Movement.” It works better as a website/news title while preserving the meaning.