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Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland, condemned the recent military actions by the United States and Israel against Iran, describing these attacks as breaches of international law. She expressed these views while speaking at a rally held in Belfast to mark International Women’s Day. Robinson emphasized the severe suffering endured by women and civil society in Iran, particularly in recent times, but stressed that this did not justify aggressive warfare, which instead exacerbates hardship.
The event, which drew in excess of 2,000 participants, featured calls for unity and resistance against ongoing Western military interventions in the Middle East. The Israeli and US offensive on Iran commenced on 28 February, prompting retaliatory strikes from Tehran that have impacted various locations across the region, including Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, and even a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus.
International Women’s Day was celebrated under the theme “Strength in Solidarity.” Among those attending was Azadeh Sobout, an academic from Queen’s University Belfast, who voiced opposition to both the Iranian regime and the current military strikes against Iran. Sobout highlighted that meaningful regime change cannot simply be imposed from external forces, stating, “We reject authoritarianism, we reject monarchy and we reject imperial war because liberation cannot come with the machinery that produces mass deaths.” She reinforced that solidarity should lie with the people rather than the state.
The rally also highlighted issues closer to home. Sharon Coyle, representing Surviving Economic Abuse, raised awareness about economic abuse in Northern Ireland, noting that one in six women experience such abuse. She outlined how financial control can trap women in abusive relationships and warned of the deadly consequences when victims cannot afford to leave. Meanwhile, international student and students’ union vice-president Favour Okpohs emphasized the importance of safety for women in their communities, underscoring that the rally was about creating environments where women can live without fear. Emma Smith, attending the event with her mother Lesley Bracken, also shared her pride in witnessing women gather every year to advocate for their rights and freedoms
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