This rally, organised by the AWYAF, was joined by many Anglo Iranian groups and associations from across the UK in order to celebrate the role of brave women in the recent Iran uprisings.
It was also to condemn the treatment of women inside Iran for their prominent roles in protests, strikes. There have been a number of arrests and attacks on women since the uprisings began in December of 2017. they have been arrested, imprisoned and attacked on the streets for their peaceful protests against the compulsory veil.
In the rally, the crowd heard from many prominent figures of British politicians, activists and lawyers, all of whom showed their support and solidarity with the Iranian people and particularly the women.
Malcolm Fowler, Senior Solicitor and former member of the Human Rights Committee of the Law Society of England and Wales, said, “I join you in condemning the appointment of Raisi and urging the UK Government to take the lead and to work with allies at the UN to ask relevant UN bodies to order an investigation and bring the regime's officials like Raisi to justice for crimes against humanity.”
“I support the cause of human rights and democracy in Iran. The appalling situation of women in Iran is why we need reforms and change. So I am here to support your just demands for justice, democracy and freedom”, the Rt Hon. Theresa Villiers, Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet and Former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said.
“We stand here today on International Women’s Day to honour Iran’s strong, committed, courageous women in Iran. To the brave women of Iran, who have to endure revolutionary guards harassment, we support you and stand beside you in the struggle for human rights, equality and justice. We salute you, we are with you”, Dr Jocelynne Scutt, a former judge, jurist and university professor at Buckingham University.
