{"id":7450,"date":"2026-06-24T20:45:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:45:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/?p=7450"},"modified":"2026-06-24T20:50:28","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T20:50:28","slug":"representative-of-the-kurdistan-democratic-womens-union-of-iran-speaks-at-european-parliament-conference-on-irans-democratic-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/representative-of-the-kurdistan-democratic-womens-union-of-iran-speaks-at-european-parliament-conference-on-irans-democratic-future\/","title":{"rendered":"Representative of the Kurdistan Democratic Women’s Union of Iran Speaks at European Parliament Conference on Iran’s Democratic Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Rozhe Azizi, representative of the Kurdistan Democratic Women\u2019s Union of Iran, participated in an international panel discussion entitled \u201cA Feminist Vision for Democratic Transition in Iran,\u201d<\/em> held at the European Parliament in Brussels. During the event, she highlighted the situation of human rights, women\u2019s rights, and the rights of Iran\u2019s diverse nationalities, while emphasizing the importance of an inclusive democratic future for the country.<\/p>\n

The meeting, organized jointly by the Socialists and Democrats Group (S&D) and several other groups in the European Parliament, brought together women political and civil activists from different regions of Iran to discuss the role of women in shaping a democratic future.<\/p>\n

In her speech, Azizi stressed that her voice represented not only Kurdish women but also women across Iran who continue to struggle for freedom, equality, and democracy. Addressing the current situation in Iran, Azizi described the country as facing a \u201cdeep and multidimensional crisis\u201d affecting political legitimacy, civil rights, economic conditions, and social cohesion. She argued that structural discrimination against women, the suppression of fundamental freedoms, and the marginalization of national and religious communities have trapped Iranian society in a cycle of injustice and repression.<\/p>\n

Referring to the \u201cJin, Jiyan, Azad\u00ee\u201d (\u201cWoman, Life, Freedom\u201d) movement, which emerged following the killing of Jina Amini, Azizi stated that the movement was far more than a protest against compulsory hijab. According to her, it became a powerful expression of the peoples of Iran\u2019s demand for an end to discrimination and the denial of human dignity. She noted that the slogan originated from Kurdistan and quickly became the shared language of millions seeking freedom, equality, and democratic transformation.<\/p>\n

Azizi also emphasized the role of Kurdish women in democratic struggles, arguing that women\u2019s participation and leadership are not secondary elements of democratic change but among its essential foundations. She described the experience of Kurdish women as a model that could contribute to building a democratic, inclusive, and sustainable future throughout Iran.<\/p>\n

Turning to the situation of national minorities, Azizi stated that many citizens in Iran continue to be denied equal rights because of their national identity, language, religion, or political beliefs. She pointed to the imprisonment and persecution of civil society activists in Kurdistan who advocate for human rights, mother-tongue education, and meaningful democratic participation.<\/p>\n

The Kurdish activist further criticized the Iranian government’s use of the death penalty as a tool of political repression. She referenced the case of Pakhshan Azizi as a symbol of resistance and resilience and commemorated Soheila Ghaderi and Nasrin Haddad, members of the leadership of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan, who lost their lives during the Islamic Republic\u2019s missile attack on Koya in 2018.<\/p>\n

Addressing economic issues, Azizi argued that political repression cannot be separated from economic injustice. She said decades of structural discrimination and systematic marginalization have left regions such as Kurdistan and Baluchistan facing severe economic hardship. She described the phenomena of kolbari and fuel carrying as stark examples of a reality in which citizens are forced to risk their lives merely to provide basic necessities for their families.<\/p>\n

Regarding Iran\u2019s future political structure, Azizi stressed that a democratic future can only be sustainable if it is founded on equality, pluralism, and the meaningful participation of all communities. She underlined that Iran is a multi-national and multicultural country and argued that no democratic system can endure if this reality is denied.<\/p>\n

Within this framework, she expressed support for democratic decentralization and federalism as practical mechanisms for guaranteeing equal rights, ensuring fair political participation, and preventing the re-emergence of authoritarian rule.<\/p>\n

Concluding her remarks, Azizi called on the European Union and Members of the European Parliament to place human rights, women\u2019s rights, and the rights of national and religious minorities at the center of all engagement with the Islamic Republic of Iran. She also urged European institutions to use all available diplomatic and political tools to help halt executions, secure the release of political prisoners, strengthen support for women-led democratic movements, and address the structural discrimination faced by national and minority communities.<\/p>\n

Azizi concluded by expressing her belief that lasting peace, stability, and democracy in Iran and the wider region can only be achieved through respect for human rights, freedom, equality, and justice.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Rozhe Azizi, representative of the Kurdistan Democratic Women\u2019s Union of Iran, participated in an international panel discussion entitled \u201cA Feminist Vision for Democratic Transition in Iran,\u201d held at the European Parliament in Brussels. During the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":7452,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Image-26-1-e1782334034879.jpg?fit=1280%2C806&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p12yuy-1Wa","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":6908,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/kurdistan-democratic-party-of-iran-representative-meets-members-of-the-european-parliament\/","url_meta":{"origin":7450,"position":0},"title":"Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran Representative Meets Members of the European Parliament","author":"Ali","date":"January 16, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Hesam Dastpish, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (PDKI) representative to the European Union, held a meeting with Mr. Daniel Attard, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of the European Parliament\u2019s Delegation for Relations with Iran, as well as Ms. Avin Incir, Member of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest"","block_context":{"text":"Latest","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/latest\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hisam.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hisam.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hisam.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Hisam.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6958,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/meeting-at-the-european-parliament-on-the-situation-in-iran\/","url_meta":{"origin":7450,"position":1},"title":"Meeting at the European Parliament on the Situation in Iran","author":"Ali","date":"January 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 On Thursday, January 22, 2026, a meeting was held at the European Parliament to discuss the situation in Iran. The meeting took place at the request of the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran and with the cooperation of the Social Democrat group at the European Parliament and was attended\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Latest"","block_context":{"text":"Latest","link":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/category\/latest\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/hesam4.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/hesam4.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/hesam4.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/pdki.org\/english\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/hesam4.jpg?fit=920%2C518&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6989,"url":"https:\/\/pdki.org\/english\/pdki-representative-participates-in-european-parliament-delegation-meeting-regarding-the-humanitarian-situation-in-iran\/","url_meta":{"origin":7450,"position":2},"title":"PDKI Representative Participates in European Parliament Delegation Meeting regarding the humanitarian situation in Iran","author":"Ali","date":"January 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"On Monday, January 26, 2026, Mr. Hesam Dastpish, representative of the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan to the European Union, participated in a meeting of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with Iran. 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