Sixty communist and workers party send solidarity to Tudeh party and Iranian people

SIGNED BY the Communist Party. We, the undersigned communist and workers’ parties, are following with concern the latest developments in the Iran since mid-September 2022. In line with the Action Plan unanimously agreed at the 22nd IMCWP in Havana, Cuba, in October 2022, we express “our solidarity with the just causes of the people of Iran including with the Iranian communists who face persecution and prohibitions on free exercise of their political rights; to stand against dictatorial regimes, repression, and discrimination in terms of democratic rights and freedoms” in that country. The current mass protests in Iran, which began after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the “Morality Police” on 16September – with the country’s women and youth at the forefront – have condemned the repressive state policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) and called for fundamental systemic political changes. Mass demonstrations across Iran have been brutally suppressed by the police and plainclothes security forces of the IRI. Confirmed reports put the number of the protestors killed by the state’s repressive measures at more than 500,including 57 children,while hundreds more are injured and around 18,000 have been arrested. The IRI’s judiciary has confirmed that the trial of about 1000 protesters has already started.  Several defendants have already been charged with “enmity with god”, “fighting against Islam”and “endangering the national security of the Islamic state”and sentenced to death.  These trial processesfall massively short of even the most basic standards of legal due process and a fair and lawful trial. We strongly denounce the use of the death penalty – particularly as punishment solely for engaging in peaceful protests and political activities and for exercising the right to free speech or freedom to join a political or social organisation of one’s choice.
We support the legitimate struggle of the Iranian people for peace, human and democratic rights, sovereignty, and social justice. Their struggle to determine the future of their country- free from any intimidation, oppression, or violence – is their legitimate right.We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees and an immediate halt to the torture and execution of protesters. We also strongly reject any interference by imperialism and reactionary regimes in the Middle East in Iran’s internal affairs.  The future direction of political developments in Iran is a decision solely for the people of Iran themselves.