Mahsa (Jina) Amini was arrested by the Iranian morality police on September 13, 2022, for violating the country’s dress codes, and died three days later after being beaten. Her death sparked widespread protests, and Iranian security forces responded with violence against the demonstrators, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. Many Kurds, who faced persecution in Kurdistan, were forced to flee to Europe, with Germany becoming a refuge for many of them. My study focuses on Kurdish refugees in Germany and their experiences of oppression and involvement in the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. By examining their identity, activism, and integration in Europe, the study highlights their struggle for justice and belonging in exile. The purpose of the thesis is to investigate how Kurdish demonstrators in Germany are influenced by their experiences of oppression and exile in relation to their identity and commitment to rights. This thesis uses phenomenology as its theoretical foundation, drawing on concepts from thinkers like Alfred Schutz, Peter L. Berger, and Thomas Luckmann to explore how Kurdish demonstrators' experiences of oppression and exile affect their identity and activism. Through the theory of lifeworld, action, typification, and meaning provinces, the thesis aims to understand how these experiences shape their perceptions of the world and their societal engagement. The method for this thesis consisted of individual interviews via Zoom with five Kurdish refugees in Germany, selected through a previous contact, including both men and women between the ages of 23 and 43. The results of the thesis show that Kurdish demonstrators in Germany, who became involved after the murder of Jina Amini, highlight experiences of oppression in Iran, particularly gender discrimination, patriarchal structures, religious repression, and ethnic conflicts, as a driving force for their fight for freedom and justice. The informants describe a life in Germany where they balance integration with preserving their Kurdish identity, while facing challenges such as language learning and trauma from their homeland. They find support in solidarity and activism based on the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom," which has become a symbol of their collective struggle. My thesis explores how exile shapes Kurdish identity, solidarity, and activism, emphasizing cultural expressions as symbols of political struggle.
Keywords: Jina (Mahsa) Amini, Kurdistan, Kurd, protesters, “woman, life, freedom”, Iran, Germany, integration, ethnic, discrimination.
2024. , p. 41
Jina (Mahsa) Amini, Kurdistan, Kurd, protesters, “woman, life, freedom”, Iran, Germany, integration, ethnic, discrimination