Prominent Iranian human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh said political tyranny in the Middle East is inseparable from the systematic violation of women’s rights, in a message to a Woman, Life, Freedom gathering in Germany marking the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death.
Sotoudeh described Amini as a symbol of women victimized by authoritarian rule, saying violence against women in Iran had become part of daily life, both in public and private spheres.
She compared conditions for women in Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia, blaming entrenched patriarchy for sustaining regional autocracies.
She added that Iranian women are openly defying mandatory veiling laws despite the risk of prosecution, making the fight for freedom of dress a central part of everyday resistance.
Sotoudeh said men have also joined the movement, as the system has harmed their lives and freedoms as well.
