Statement by Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML)
Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) categorically condemns the killing of protesters and the extreme violence once again unleashed by the Iranian authorities against the people of Iran. We stand in solidarity with protestors who are bravely taking to the streets protesting an authoritarian rule.
In the absence of any meaningful channels for negotiation, accountability, or democratic change, Iranians have repeatedly been forced to take to the streets to make their voices heard. Decades of political repression have hollowed out representative government, rendered elections meaningless, and criminalized dissent. Socially, Iran remains among the most repressive regimes in the world, particularly toward women and girls, as well as ethnic, religious, and political minorities. The right to peaceful protest, guaranteed under international human rights law and nominally recognized in Iran’s own constitution, is violated on a daily basis.
The current uprising is not an isolated moment. Iran’s long history of resistance is principally tied to democratic values, anti-imperialism, and demands for justice and equality across a heterogeneous population. Protests against the current regime began with the mass women’s demonstrations of 8 March 1979, when tens of thousands of women protested the imposition of compulsory hijab just weeks after the Islamic Republic took power. This pattern of protest has continued through the 2009 Green Movement, which brought millions into the streets across the country, the nationwide uprisings of 2017 and 2019, and the 2022 “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement—each met with brutal repression.
The international community remembers the killing of Neda Agha-Soltan during the 2009 protests, a moment that exposed the regime’s willingness to kill unarmed citizens in public view. During the 2022 uprising alone, more than 500 people were killed, thousands were injured, and over 20,000 were arrested. Today, in early 2026, the authorities are once again repeating this cycle of violence.
Credible reports indicate that the state has mobilized its full security and military apparatus against protesters. Available figures suggest that over 600 people have been killed, including women and children, most by live ammunition and assault rifles. These killings constitute grave violations of Iran’s obligations under international human rights law.
WLUML demands an immediate end to the use of lethal force against civilians and protesters. The deliberate shutdown of the internet and communication networks, aimed at blocking documentation and international scrutiny, is further evidence of systematic repression and censorship.
We call on the Iranian authorities to immediately halt the violence, release all arbitrarily detained protesters, restore full access to communication, and respect the fundamental rights of the Iranian people. We urge the international community, human rights mechanisms, and feminist and civil society networks worldwide not to normalize this cycle of repression, but to hold the Iranian state accountable.
The persistence of protest in Iran is not a sign of disorder—it is a testament to the resilience of a people who, despite decades of violence, continue to insist on dignity, justice, and freedom.
Women Living Under Muslim Laws