Zeynab Jalalian (Kurdish: Zeyneb Celaliyan), a female Kurdish political prisoner born in 1982 in Maku, city of Rojhelat (Eastern Kurdistan). Jalalian is a Kurdish political activist who committed her life to women’s rights and the participation of Kurdish women in politics. She was especially engaged in educating girls and women politically in an effort to challenge the patriarchal and male dominated system within the region. At the time of her arrest, she resided in Başur (Southern Kurdistan). However, Jalaliyan often travelled across the border to Rojhalat, where she encouraged women to gain selfawareness and stand up for their rights. Her efforts were deeply centered on challenging sexism within society, not only for Kurdish women but all women that she came into contact with.
In March 2008, she was arrested by officers of the secret service in the Kurdish city of Kirmaşam. The Revolutionary Court in Kirmaşam finally conducted a brief trial in the beginning of 2009, without proper investigation or legal representation, which also lasted for only a few minutes. Jalalian was charged with “Moharebeh” (Enemy of God) according to Islamic law. Based on the scarce information present, the Supreme Court in Tehran confirmed the death sentence imposed on Zeynab Jalalian in December 2009. However, her charge of being “Moharebeh” was merely due to her alleged membership in the Kurdish liberation movement, the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK). The Islamic Republic uses this term to condemn people for acting against the interests of the regime or other so called crimes which are otherwise difficult to label legally. [Source: CENÎ, Kurdish Women’s Office for Peace]
In December 2014 Jalalian was transferred from Kirmaşan rehabilitation and training center to Xoy prison. For the past few years Jalalian has been transferred out of specialized rehabilitation clinics in Kirmaşan several times despite Ophthalmologist’s diagnosis and reports of plea to keep Jalalian in the clinics and prep for eye surgery. However both the prosecutors and the Kirmaşan court, her treatments has been interrupted and she has been placed back into prison – causing her eyesight to further deteriorate. Even after Jalalian’s transfer to Xoy prison due to security reasons, officials in Kirmaşan still denied and refused to facilitate her treatment. The fact that Xoy prison has limited health services complicates the situation further and is a point of serious concern. [Source: KHRN, Kurdistan Human Rights Network]
Zeynab Jalalian’s health is in a critical condition. Although there is the acute risk of blindness, internal bleeding, and intestinal and digestive problems, she is being denied for any medical treatment by Iranian regime. CENÎ (Kurdish Women’s Office for Peace) started a campaign in worldwide Women’s day for Zeynab Jalalian freedom, and KJAR (Free Women’s Society of Eastern Kurdistan) in Europe joined this campaign in different countries in Scandinavia and some other countries in Europe. This campaign drew peoples attract in Europe and Scandinavia toward to the political prisoners in Iranian regime’s prisons and especially to the direction of Kurdish political prisoner Zeynab Jalalian.
In this campain there were released information about Jalalian’s situation and condition and this information has been sent to parliament in different countries and to human right organizations. KJAR’s intention is to force Iran to release Jalalian and they need all the support of human right organizations. In this campaign people were impressed and they had a lot of questions, at the same they condemned Iran’s anti human-rights policies. The policies of the Iranian regime suppresses and destroys democratic and human rights values and those who wish to stand for these values. This campaign will continue until Jalalian will be released. Jalalian is an example for all women who, despite such inhumane conditions, do not surrender and remain true to their struggle for liberation.
The Iranian government systematically resorts to executions as a method of intimidation and punishment of those committed to democratic rights and freedom. Through torture, death sentences and executions, the regime attempts to eradicate elements and groups within society who resist such inhumane and undemocratic practices. As the regime aims to destroy the dignity of their prisoners by all means, the cruelty and nature of the methods of torture, imprisonment and number of execution have increased alarmingly.
The campaign were organized in the following countries:
Germany
In Dresden, Belfield, Hamburg and in Frankfurt KJAR shared information about Zeynab Jalalian and her health condition by releasing leaflets.
Norway
In Oslo KJAR shared information about Zeynab Jalalian.
Denmark
In Copenhagen information were given to parliament and the parliament promised to support Zeynab Jalalian’s rights as a women and political prisoner. Also information about Zeynab Jalalian’s health condition shared in Aarhus city by releasing leaflets and a dossier were given to Aarhus Municipality.
Sweden
In Stockholm, Karlstad and in Uppsala people were informed about Zeynab Jalalian’s health condition by releasing informative leaflets made by CENÎ and also KJAR’s statement read to public opinion.
Finland
In Helsinki and Turku KJAR shared information about Zeynab Jalalian, and they also sent a dossier regarding Jalalian’s condition to the parliament of Finland and same dossier were sent to several human rights organizations as well.
France
In Paris also KJAR shared important information about Zeynab Jalalian in many places of city.
United Kingdom
In Manchester committees of PJAK and KJAR were in contact with a magazine named “The Militant”, magazine promised to share some information regarding Zeynab Jalalian in their journal.
Rojhelat.info
