As schools reopen across Iran on September 23, 2026 (1 Mehr 1405), millions of children return to their classrooms. However, more than 560 desks will remain permanently empty this academic year. Specifically, these missing students lost their lives in political…
BRUSSELS — Jino Victoria Doabi spoke at a European Parliament hearing today. As Director of International Relations at Hiwa, she called for urgent action to help Kurdish women in Rojhalat (Eastern Kurdistan, Iran). Specifically, she highlighted their struggle against gender…
On Saturday, September 19, 2026 (28 Shahrivar 1405), Iranian authorities executed Hossein Pedaran on charges of espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel. Specifically, human rights documentation indicates he is the 60th security-related prisoner executed since the onset of the recent…
On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, markets across multiple Kurdish cities came to a complete standstill. Specifically, business owners closed their shops to mark the four-year anniversary of Jina Amini’s death. Her death in police custody originally sparked the historic “Woman,…
Branch 3 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court has sentenced Sevda (Marziyeh) Ebrahimi Shamsabadi to death on charges of “Corruption on Earth” (Efsad-fil-Arz). Specifically, the court cited her taking photographs of a missile impact site from a distance and sending…
September 8, 2026 (17 Shahrivar 1405), marks the eighth anniversary of the executions of Ramin Hossein Panahi, Zaniar Moradi, and Loghman Moradi. Specifically, Iranian authorities hanged the three Kurdish political prisoners at Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj on September 8,…
On September 4, 1989 (13 Shahrivar 1368), an infiltrated assassin gunned down 43-year-old Kurdish lawyer and political leader Sedigh Kamangar in Iraqi Kurdistan. Specifically, Kamangar was a co-founder of the Komala party and a pivotal figure in the civic defense…
Enforced disappearance remains one of the most cruel instruments of state repression in Iran. Specifically, authorities refuse to acknowledge detentions or disclose the location of prisoners, subjecting families to perpetual psychological torture. Decades of State Concealment Pirouz Davani (28 Years…
Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court has sentenced 27-year-old protester Ali Zarei Duzdarehsi to death on charges of “Corruption on Earth” (Efsad-fil-Arz). Specifically, Zarei—who lost near-total vision in his right eye after security forces shot him during the 2022…
On September 2, 1979 (11 Shahrivar 1358), state-backed armed forces and local militias launched a retaliatory attack on the Kurdish village of Qarna near Naghadeh. Consequently, the Qarna massacre 1979 resulted in the summary execution of at least 45 unarmed…
Founder & Head of Athletes
Sardar Pashaei is a Kurdish activist, former world wrestling champion, and a relentless advocate for justice. At just five years old, he experienced oppression firsthand, visiting his imprisoned father every Thursday.
Banned from competing internationally due to his political family background, he eventually fled Iran and became a U.S. citizen. He has dedicated his time and voice to supporting the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, working with U.S. Congress, the European Parliament, and international organizations to raise awareness about the Iranian people’s struggle.
His activism has come at a personal cost—his younger brother and sister have both been arrested and tortured in Iran. Today, he leads Justice & Freedom for Iran, bringing together survivors, activists, and athletes to work toward a democratic and secular Iran.
