A cross-party group of councillors in Renfrewshire have come together to show their support for demonstrators in Iran.
Labour group depute Alison Ann-Dowling was joined by SNP depute council leader Jacqueline Cameron and fellow female councillors outside Renfrewshire House in Paisley’s Cotton Street on Thursday.
They unfurled the country’s flag as a “public gesture of solidarity” with Iranian women and girls who have marched in protest following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.
The 22-year-old died on September 16, days after being arrested by morality police in Tehran, for allegedly breaching strict rules on head coverings — sparking a wave of anti-government demonstrations.
Councillor Ann-Dowling, who represents Houston, Crosslee and Linwood, said: “Women’s rights are being rolled back across the world. In Iran, women and girls are fighting back.
“Iranian activists are calling it the first female-led revolution of our time, in the name of the Iranian people against the brutal Islamic Republic regime.
“Women Labour group councillors are protesting as a public gesture of solidarity with Iranian women and girls, alongside all of the women councillors in Renfrewshire who were able to join us to add their support.
“Iranians have called for people around the world to show solidarity. We are answering that call.”
Councillor Ann-Dowling will put forward a motion condemning “atrocities” at the next full council meeting in December.
It will ask the local authority to write to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women to request that Iran is removed from its membership.
The motion will be seconded by her counterpart Councillor Cameron, a Johnstone South and Elderslie representative, who said she had “no hesitation” in doing so.
She said: “The death of Jina Mahsa Amini and the ongoing treatment of women and girls in Iran is something I have watched unfold, with horror, sadness and anger.
“It is simply unacceptable and this message must be heard loud and clear by the government of Iran from as many sources as possible.
“I had no hesitation in seconding Councillor Ann-Dowling’s motion and was delighted she asked me.
“I think it is important that as political parties we join forces on issues such as this to defend the rights of women globally.”
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