A total of 47 Iranian artists have called on Friday on Western countries to abandon «indifference» to the situation in the country in order to achieve «regime change».
In a joint statement, the artists, including musicians, composers, film directors, writers, poets and photographers, called for greater «solidarity» and expressed their support for the Iranian people, who have been taking to the streets for more than a month to demonstrate over the death of 22-year-old Masha Amini, who died after being held in custody for violating the Islamic dress code.
Thus, they have stated that their aim is to «create empathy and give courage to the population so that their voices are heard in the framework of the protests.» «We support the freedom-loving people of Iran,» they asserted, according to information from the Iran International television network.
The artists have urged the international community to «listen» to their voices as they «fight» against the government. The communiqué, under the title ‘Need for Solidarity’, strongly condemns the «violence and repression against Iranian citizens» and reaffirms support for «fighters seeking freedom and self-determination». «We have great hope,» they said.
The text also highlights the «uprising of the courageous women of Iran, the result of 43 years of an authoritarian system that has cost lives, plundered the country’s resources and produced nothing but poverty, destruction and ruin.»
«Our solidarity today in defending the freedom and struggle of Iranians at this historic moment gives hope to the people and concerns the humanitarian and patriotic duty of each one of us,» reads the document signed by poet Ardalan Sarfaraz, singer Hasan Shamaizade, actress and playwright Shabnam Toloui, writer Shahyar Ghanbari and well-known singer Leila Forohar, among others.
Since the protests began more than 40 days ago, hundreds of artists and activists from around the world have expressed their support for the demonstrators.
