It’s been weighing heavy on our minds since the world became aware of what is and has been going on in Iran surrounding women’s rights. It’s been happening for decades. It’s shocking that it took something as profound as the death of a 22 year old woman to alert global attention to this massive violation of human rights. The events and information that have circulated since Mahsa Amini’s murder on September 16th (and before) have been gut wrenching.

As a company and brand whose platform is utilising art as a method of stopping, engaging, informing, and protesting, we feel that it’s essential to shine a light on global issues, inviting conversation through the powerful vehicle of art. We recently asked a friend to share her thoughts, as a British-Iranian woman, and we’re so grateful to be able to share her response shared below. We welcome your thoughts and opinions. Please post in the comments or send us an email to info.aopprojects@gmail.com. We’ve also compiled some images created by artists across the globe…see Woman, Freedom, Life Part Two…

When most non-Iranians think of Iran, they probably think of mullahs, oppression, and terrorism – an unfortunate by-product of Iran’s Islamic Revolution that occurred in 1978. But this forced regime, with their oppressive laws, do not represent Iranians today. Neither are they representative of Iran’s rich Persian history and beautiful natural landscape. A history that boasts some of the most beautiful and sophisticated art in the world, from architecture to poetry. In addition to excelling in the arts, the Persian empire were forward thinkers long before the rest of the world caught up. The first king of Persia, Cyrus the Great, was the first in history to introduce human rights laws declaring that all people had the right to choose their own religion, and no one should be oppressed. This is a far cry from present day Iran. In present day Iran, human rights are violated on a phenomenal level, especially for women, and expression of all the arts and personal identities are severely restricted. The people of Iran have put up with this regime for far too long. Generation Z have spoken. The women of Iran have spoken. Loud and clear. Woman, Life, Freedom!

On 16th September 2022, an innocent 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman, Jina “Mahsa” Amini, was killed in police custody for wearing her hijab improperly. This sparked the beginning of nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Let’s be clear: these protests are not against Islam. These protests are about freedom. Freedom to choose whether to wear the hijab. Freedom of bodily autonomy. Freedom of speech. Freedom of expression. Freedom of religion. Freedom from the control of men. Freedom to love who you want. Freedom to be who you want without judgement or persecution. Freedom for women to dance and sing in public. These protests are also about the corrupt regime that does not allow fair trials and is allowing its people to suffer in a country that is full of natural resources. It is about being treated equally and with dignity regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, race, and so on.

The regime has responded brutally and heinously. Killing, torturing, and arresting peaceful protesters in the streets. Hundreds of people have been killed, including children and teenagers. The true death toll is unknown but thought to be much higher than what is reported in the news. There are about 18k protesters in prison, of whom have been denied legal representatives and medical attention. The prisoners are subject to torture, rape, and forced into false confessions. Many have been sentenced to death in sham trials, with several already executed. Medics who treat the protesters have also been arrested and subject to violence. University students have been held hostage and schoolgirls have been beaten to death. Marginalised communities, such as in Kurdistan and Baluchistan are being massacred. This is genocide. Moreover, there is a nationwide Internet blackout and people are threatened with death threats to stay silent.

Yet despite all these devastating acts of violence, the people of Iran are not giving up. They are continuing to protest and to speak up for their freedom. Their courage and bravery are commendable. Furthermore, oil workers, steel workers, retailers and many more have gone on strike in solidarity of the protesters. This is in a country where trade unions do not exist, and the cost of living is unbearably high because of sanctions. This is more than a protest now – this is a revolution. A revolution led by women. The message is clear. Iranians do not want reform; they want regime change. The time of the Islamic Republic is over. It is time for the Iranian people to take back their country. We can help them by amplifying their voices. In the words of Martin Luther King Jr, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people, but the silence over that by the good people.”

Written by a British-Iranian friend who wishes to remain anonymous.

woman, life, Freedom! part two

Woman, Life, Freedom! Part One