(Ottawa – October 20, 2022) The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) condemns the brutality of Iranian authorities in response to growing anti-government protests. CAUT stands in solidarity with the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations (CCITTA) to protest the imprisonment of teachers and academics who, along with trade union and human rights activists, have been detained and persecuted by Iranian authorities.

CAUT is urging the government of Iran to end its brutal crackdown on protestors and to release all those who have been detained, including the teachers and union activists with the CCITTA. CAUT is also concerned about reports that feminist scholars have been targeted in recent weeks by security forces.

The murder of Jina (Mahsa) Amini on September 16 by the so-called morality police in Tehran has sent thousands of people to the streets in protests led by women and girls. Security forces have responded violently with up to 222 people killed according to Iran's Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

On Oct 15, a fire broke out in Evin Prison where five CCITTA members are being held along with several other trade union activists, students, and political prisoners.

CAUT stands with CCITTA and all those demanding human rights, freedom and equality in urging the Iranian authorities to end the unacceptable repression of the protests and in calling on the Canadian government and the international community to exert stronger pressure on the Iranian regime.