Simin Sabri: We Want These Conferences to Serve as a Platform for Boycotted Turks and the Azerbaijani Movement

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 21, 2024

Simin Sabri, political activist

Recently, the second conference titled "The Role of Azerbaijan in the Formation of Sustainable Democracy in Iran" was held at Hamburg University in Germany.

Simin Sabri, spokesperson for the Azerbaijan Democratic Party and one of the organizers of the conference, spoke to Voice of America about the purpose and objectives of the event. Sabri said that the goal of the conference was to provide a platform for the boycotted Azerbaijani movement and Turks, as well as to serve as a bridge for connecting the "progressive" forces of the Iranian opposition.

Simin Sabri: The Increase in Executions Erodes Human Dignity and Normalizes Violence

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 28, 2024

Simin Sabri

According to information released by human rights organizations, the Islamic Republic of Iran has executed approximately 100 prisoners in August. In Tabriz alone, at least 13 prisoners were hanged in August.

Political activist and psychiatrist Simin Sabri discussed the destructive impact of executions on Iranian society in an interview with Voice of America. Sabri highlighted the role of executions in normalizing violence within society.

Simin Sabri: Political Alternatives for Iran’s Future Must Embrace Women’s and Minoritized Nations' Rights

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, March 3, 2023

Simin Sabri

Political activist Simin Sabri spoke to Voice of America, stating that Iranian opposition forces abroad, who currently have media power, are not loyal to the slogans and essence of the recent mass protests in Iran.

Sabri explained that with the decline of street protests in Iran, Farsi-language media operating abroad has started to cover diverse perspectives within Iranian society less than before.

Simin Sabri: Iran's New Generation Rejects Obedience and Challenges the Islamic Republic

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, December 30, 2022

Simin Sabri

Psychiatrist and political activist Simin Sabri spoke with Voice of America about the role of young people, especially teenage girls, in the ongoing national protests in Iran, which have lasted for over a hundred days.

Sabri emphasizes that the new generation of children in Iran is not obedient like the previous generation and does not fit into the narrow, traditional, and conservative framework of the Islamic Republic.

Simin Sabri: Women in These Protests Burn Their Hijabs as a Symbol of the Iranian Regime

 Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, September 23, 2022

The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last week while in police custody for allegedly violating Iran’s hijab laws has sparked widespread protests across the country.

In an interview with Voice of America, women's rights activist Simin Sabri discussed the reasons behind the protests and the demands of women in Iranian Azerbaijan.

Simin Sabri: The Iranian Regime Increases Pressure on Women to Demonstrate Its Power

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 10, 2022

Simin Sabri

Psychiatrist and political activist Simin Sabri, in an interview with Voice of America, assessed the increasing repression and restrictions imposed on various social groups in Iran following the rise to power of President Ebrahim Raisi.

According to Sabri, during Raisi’s tenure, as state violence and repression against different segments of society have intensified, so have public reactions. She emphasized that protests have become even more intense compared to the past.

Simin Sabri: Tractor Fans’ Protest Against Iran’s Stadium Ban on Women Is a Source of Pride

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, April 12, 2022

Simin Sabri

Political activist and human rights defender Simin Sabri, in an interview with Voice of America, stated that demanding Iranian women's right to enter stadiums is not just about watching football matches—it is a matter of equal citizenship rights.

Simin Sabri: We Strive to Address the Issues of Turkish Women in Iran in Their Own Language

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 2, 2022

Simin Sabri

For more than two years, the Türk Qadını (Turkish Woman) website has been active in promoting feminism, equal rights, and raising awareness about the discrimination and challenges faced by women in Iran.

In an interview with Voice of America, the website's editor-in-chief, Simin Sabri, stated that one of their main goals is "to create content about the issues concerning Turkish women in Iran, in their own language."

Simin Sabri: Iranian Laws Entrust Even Women's Basic Rights to Men

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 12, 2021

Simin Sabri

Simin Sabri states, "Iran’s family laws are full of privileges granted to men, and even the most basic human rights of women are placed in the hands of men."

In a conversation with Voice of America, the political activist and psychiatrist commented on the disputes surrounding mehr (the sum of money a man promises to his wife upon marriage) and the right to divorce in Iran.

Simin Sabri: "Some Men Approach Women’s Issues the Same Way Pan-Iranists Approach the Turkish Issue"

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, July 31, 2021

Simin Sabri

The topic of sexual violence against women has recently been discussed in Clubhouse rooms focused on Iranian Azerbaijan. Political activist and psychiatrist Simin Sabri shared her thoughts on the debates in these rooms with Voice of America.

Simin Sabri views the effort by women who have experienced sexual violence to share and generalize their experiences on social media as a positive and constructive step.

At the same time, she compares some men’s attitudes toward women activists to how pan-Iranist forces treat Turkish activists.

Simin Sabri: "The Only Way Out for Women in Iran Is a Change of Regime"

Hamid Melikoglu, Voice of America, June 11, 2021

Simin Sabri

Ahead of Iran’s presidential and City Council elections, organizations advocating for the rights of women from non-Persian ethnic groups have issued a joint statement calling for a boycott of the elections.

In an interview with Voice of America, Simin Sabri, a representative of the Turkish Women's Center, discussed the content and objectives of the statement issued by women’s organizations from various non-Persian ethnic groups, including Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, and Baloch communities.

Simin Sabri: Our Path Is Different—We Seek a Federal Iran, Not Independence

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 31, 2020

Simin Sabri

Spokesperson for the Azerbaijan Democratic Unity organization, Simin Sabri, told Voice of America, “We seek the right to self-determination for Azerbaijan within Iran, meaning within a federal framework. This fundamentally sets us apart from organizations that advocate for independence.”

Simin Sabri: Coronavirus and Economic Pressures Have Severely Worsened Living Conditions in Iranian Azerbaijan

Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, July 4, 2020

In February, Iran became one of the countries most affected by the coronavirus epidemic after China. Despite months of efforts to combat the pandemic, the number of COVID-19 infections has surged again in recent weeks. Reports indicate that quarantine restrictions have been reinstated in several regions, including Iranian Azerbaijan. In an interview with Voice of America, national activist and psychiatrist Simin Sabri discussed the latest situation regarding the coronavirus epidemic in Iranian Azerbaijan and the public reaction to the Iranian government’s efforts to contain the virus.

Psychiatrist: We Must Ensure Our Children Do Not Suffer Severe Trauma During the Pandemic

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, April 9, 2020

Simin Sabri

Speaking to Voice of America, psychiatrist and activist Simin Sabri believes that children, as well as certain groups who are closely exposed to the harsh realities of the coronavirus crisis—such as healthcare workers—may suffer severe psychological trauma.

Simin Sabri: The Iranian Regime Sees the Coronavirus as a Political Tool, Not a Public Health Crisis

Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, February 29, 2020

South Azerbaijani human rights activist Simin Sabri spoke to Voice of America about the coronavirus epidemic in Iran, the government's response, and the situation in the regions of Iranian Azerbaijan.

Iran is one of the countries where the coronavirus epidemic has spread the most. The United States has accused the Iranian regime of concealing information about the spread of the virus in the country.

Simin Sabri: The Fight for Equality in Iran Requires Stronger Unity Among National Minorities

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 22, 2019

Simin Sabri

Simin Sabri considers the Persian proficiency test an initiative that contradicts democracy, human rights, and children's rights. She criticizes both Persian-language media and the Iranian opposition for remaining silent on the issue. At the same time, she highlights that non-Persian communities have also failed to respond to this project in an organized manner.

"We Invite Forces that Believe in Democracy to Join This Alliance"

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, February 28, 2019

Simin Sabri speaks at the founding meeting of the 'Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran' alliance.

Ten political organizations opposed to the Islamic Republic have announced the formation of an alliance called “Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran.” Simin Sabri, the spokesperson for the Azerbaijan Democratic Union (Birlik), one of the organizations in the alliance, states that the influence of the Turkish community must be increased within this alliance.

The founders of the alliance have declared that they will fight to overthrow the Islamic Republic in order to restore republicanism, democracy, secularism, and federalism in Iran.

Ten-Organization Alliance Calls for Federalism and Democracy in Iran

  Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, November 28, 2018

Simin Sabri

Ten organizations opposed to the current government in Iran recently released a joint statement announcing that they have formed an alliance based on the principles of republicanism, federalism, and democracy.

Simin Sabri, the spokesperson for one of the groups in the alliance, the Azerbaijan Democratic Union Organization, spoke to Voice of America about the development.

Simin Sabri: The Iranian Regime Directly Targets Women

Dilshad Aliyarli - Voice of America, March 9, 2018

Southern Azerbaijani women’s rights activist Simin Sabri spoke on Voice of America’s "America Review" program, discussing the problems faced by women in Iranian Azerbaijan, the impact of the lack of schools in the native language on girls’ educational opportunities, and protests against the compulsory hijab.

The Struggle for Women's Place in Nationalist Movements

 Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 9, 2017

Simin Sabri

Simin Sabri emphasizes that the challenges women face in nationalist movement organizations are not only related to those organizations but also to society’s and the government's views on women. In an interview with Voice of America, the spokesperson for the Southern Azerbaijan National Democratic Union discussed the role of women in the national movement and its affiliated organizations.