Shopkeepers and traders in the cities of Saqqez and Divandarreh in Kurdistan Province went on strike on 16 September to mark the third anniversary of Jina Amini’s death in custody, despite threats from security forces.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that the strike was held in response to calls for a general shutdown on the anniversary of Amini’s killing, which sparked the “Women, Life, Freedom” uprising in 2022.
Hundreds of security personnel were deployed in Saqqez from 15 September, particularly around Aichi Cemetery, where Amini is buried, and the city was under intense surveillance and a heavy security presence.
Shopkeepers said they had received telephone warnings from officers of the Police in charge of Supervision over Public Facilities and Locations that their businesses would be sealed if they joined the strike. Despite this, markets in both cities remained closed throughout the day.
Videos circulating on social media also showed military and security forces blocking citizens from visiting Amini’s grave at Aichi Cemetery.
