Supporters of a new campaign include Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, German Parliament member Norbert Röttgen, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and numerous organizations, reports iranintl.com. Members of the newly formed Iranian coalition, women's rights activists Masih Alinejad, Nazanin Boniadi, Ladan Boroumand, athlete Ali Karimi and exiled Prince Reza Pahlavi, are also among the signatories.
The organization Freedom House has launched the campaign and associated petition on change.org. Freedom House is an international nongovernmental organization based in Washington, D.C., whose goal is to promote liberal democracies worldwide.
The signatories say ending the Islamic Republic's misogynistic system would be a global milestone toward a world where women are treated equally.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, former U.S. secretary of state, wrote on Twitter, "Iranians have made it clear: They want freedom and democracy. Not dictatorship and theocracy."
Supporters show their appreciation to women in Iran who take to the streets and are joined by men and people of all ages - even as the regime shoots at them, hangs them, tortures them, rapes them and arrests thousands. They stress that the people of Iran deserve "full support from freedom-loving people around the world."
The demands
The supporters call on governments and individuals to clearly show their support for the protesters. Likewise, they call on politicians to provide sponsorship, especially for those facing execution.
"All officials involved in the repression, from Supreme Leader Khamenei to local Basij commanders, should be sanctioned," their statement reads. Furthermore, they stress the need for listing the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.
Governments are asked to receive opposition leadership at officially announced meetings. An improvement in "reliable and fact-based reporting" by international media should take place. Demonstrators should be able to communicate despite regime Internet blockades, it said. Unions and governments should show solidarity with Iranian workers and share their experiences in the struggle regarding workers' rights and democracy. Practical help, such as VPNs and other means of communication, should be provided.
The mandatory hijab sparked the protests, but the target is the entire theocratic system, they say. Their slogan is "woman, life, freedom." Their demand "Azadi, Azadi, A-za-di" means "freedom, freedom, freedom." The Iranians want to free themselves from a regime that denies free elections, freedom of expression, due process, and simple personal matters such as choice of dress.
The U.S., the European Union (iran-revolution.com) and Britain have already imposed new sanctions on Tehran, increasing pressure on the Islamic Republic.
The situation is particularly tense in the Kurdish and Baluch regions; in January alone, at least 182 Kurds and 185 Baluch were arrested.