Take Action 2023

PLEASE SIGN

UKRAINE – WAR IS MADNESS!
Change.org
Stop war in Ukraine:
This is unacceptable madness. The very idea that we must go back to a war in Europe is a real madness.
All those in charge of the European Union and international politics are called to act with determination to stop the crisis in Ukraine from leading to a new war that would have devastating consequences for the whole world. It would be a very dangerous historical regression….
Sign and chare the Change global petition

We can’t abandon Ukraine’s stolen children
Avaaz
To governments across the world:
As citizens and parents around the world, we are horrified that thousands of Ukrainian children are being taken by Putin and his officials for re-education and adoption in Russia…
Sign and share the Avaaz global petition.

Iran: End the Brutal Crackdown!
Avaaz
To world governments:
We call on you to help stop the brutal crackdown against women, children and peaceful protesters in Iran. Help free those unlawfully detained, stop the death sentences, and set up an independent UN mechanism to investigate and end impunity for grave crimes in Iran. Global pressure works and must include targeted sanctions on Iranian officials and institutions responsible for the violence and human rights violations.
Sign and share the Avaaz global petition.

“Women, Life, Freedom!” Protect the Protest in Iran
Amnesty International
“Please be our voice… We are standing firm in the streets. We are risking our lives on the street [protesting], please please stand up for us.” Protester from Esfahan, Iran
Sign and share Amnesty’s global petition.

STAND WITH AFGHAN GIRLS
Avaaz
Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai and women’s rights advocates Zarqa Yaftali and Shaharzad Akbar just called on leaders to urgently get millions of Afghan girls back in school. Let’s all join them — sign the open letter now:
To the Taliban and leaders around the world:
” One month ago, the Taliban shut school gates for millions of Afghan girls — robbing them of not just an education but also their futures.
Afghanistan is now the only country in the world that forbids girls’ education. Leaders everywhere must take urgent, decisive action to get every Afghan girl back in school….
Sign and share the global petition.

Protect the freedom and safety of Afghan women and girls
Change.org
The lives and freedoms of women and girls are in the balance as the Taliban takes power in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rules, women and girls are banned from studying, working, showing their skin in public, accessing healthcare, being involved in politics or speaking publicly. Sexual violence and forced marriage to Taliban fighters is common. …
Sign and share this UK petition.

Iran: Stop Using the Death Penalty Against Protesters
Middle East Matters
Islamic Republic authorities have detained tens of thousands of protesters during recent anti-government demonstrations that sparked after the killing of Mahsa Zhina Amini in police custody for having an “improper” hijab. Since September 16, Iranians across the country have been protesting against the government. Authorities have responded with a violent and deadly crackdown. Thousands have faced arbitrary detention and torture. …
Sign and share Middle East Matters’ petition

Finland Stands with the Women of Iran
change.org
We call on Finnish leaders in the government and society to publicly stand with the people of Iran…
Sign and share this Finland petition.

BACKGROUND
Russia accused of war crimes over Ukrainian children
CBC News, Feb 22, 2023
Russia has put at least 6,000 Ukrainian children in camps, according to a U.S.-funded report from Yale University. The report says the children are enduring pro-Russian re-education. Some are being adopted out to Russian families with fanfare from Russian officials, while others are allegedly receiving military training. Meanwhile, Ukrainian mothers have been making long and treacherous journeys in an attempt to retrieve their children….

Revolt of the Year: The Iranian Women Uprising
The Islamic Republic’s theocratic elite are on the ropes
by Adrienne Mahsa Varkiani, New Republic, Dec 29, 2022
It takes a special kind of coward to kill a child and steal the body. To execute someone, and only tell their family afterward. To shoot at people chanting the word “freedom,” and shut off the internet in hopes that no one will find out. In the last three months, the Islamic Republic of Iran has done all of this and more.

RESOURCES
World Refugee and Migration Council
Look here to learn more about actions being taken by Canada.

Header image credit: OZAN KOSE//Getty Images