Atena Daemi supports the uprising in Khuzestan and other parts of Iran.
In a letter from Lakan Prison of Rasht where she is detained in exile, political prisoner Atena Daemi declared that she supports the uprising of the thirsty people of Khuzestan and in other parts of Iran.
Political prisoner Atena Daemi was abruptly and violently moved from the women’s ward of Evin Prison on March 16, 2021, on the eve of the Iranian New Year. She was sent to exile to Lakan Prison of Rasht among ordinary prisoners in violation of the principle of separation of crimes. Atena Daemi was not even allowed to take her personal belongings with her or contact her family.
Following are excerpts from the letter in which Atena Daemi supports the uprising in Khuzestan:
Khuzestan does not have water. Khuzestan has sand storms. It has marshlands filled with martyrs. Khuzestan has mines and ruins of war. Khuzestan is discriminated against. Its body is wounded. Khuzestan has a long way from prosperity. Khuzestan is part of the borderline. It has pipelines filled with water [but these pipelines take the water] to the other side [of the border].
Khuzestan is lively but it does not have water. Indeed, Khuzestan has water but at the price of their lives. The government has water, but the cost of water is in the lives of people. [The people of] Khuzestan give their lives to receive water. Moreover, the government takes their lives to give them water.
One of the most prominent features of this regime is the oppression of ethnic minorities, discriminating against and suppressing them. As we have witnessed in the past 42 years, the regime responds to any form of protest by unprecedented violence.
These days, in addition to all the news, I hear of the annoying news of clampdown on people’s protests in various parts of Iran and it fills me with pain. However, it was good news to hear about the glorious unity among the oppressed ethnic groups to confront oppression and discrimination. This is especially so for us, prisoners, who have been condemned under various pretexts to be away from our people. I regret that I cannot be with the protesters. May we neutralize all forms of despotism and repression by greater and broader unity to gain our legitimate rights. Although I am incarcerated and in exile, I stand with you.
Atena Daemi, July 2021, Lakan Prison of Rasht
