A GROUP of Renfrewshire councillors have staged a protest this afternoon in a show of support for demonstrators facing a violent government crackdown in Iran.

Alison Ann-Dowling, deputy leader of Renfrewshire's Labour group, was joined by local councillors including Jacqueline Cameron, Gillian Graham, Carolann Davidson and Janis MacDonald outside Renfrewshire House, in Paisley.

The demonstrations in Iran, which have focused on the country's mandatory hijab covering for women, were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini last month.

Ms Amini died on September 16 while being detained by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code for women.

Councillor Ann-Dowling said that women and girls were being killed in Iran "for the crime of saying no to the gender-based apartheid regime."

The Houston, Crosslee and Linwood representative told The Gazette: "Women Labour Group councillors are protesting as a public gesture of solidarity with Iranian women and girls, alongside all of the women councillors in Renfrewshire who were able to join us to add their support.

"Iranians have called for people around the world to show solidarity. We are answering that call.

"In addition to the protest by women councillors, I have lodged a motion for the next council meeting."

Councillor Ann-Dowling said Jacqueline Cameron, deputy leader of the Renfrewshire's SNP group, would be seconding the motion to reflect cross-party solidarity.

She added: "The motion condemns the atrocities committed against women and girls in Iran and stands in solidarity with their legitimate desire for freedom.

"The motion will ask Renfrewshire Council to write to the UN Women's Rights Commission to request that Iran is removed from its membership, as a signal that the international community stands with Iranian women and girls defending their human rights against the regime."

Councillor Gillian Graham, who represents Johnstone North, Kilbarchan, Howwood and Lochwinnoch, said: "We are playing our part in raising objections outside Iran to help add pressure to the Iranian regime, who are undertaking femicide on a horrific scale.

"Our voice may be small, but added together with other condemnations, we hope to give voice to those women and girls in Iran who are unable to speak freely about their suffering and have asked the world outside Iran to speak up in their defence."

Councillor Carolann Davidson, who represents Paisley East and Central, said: "I have been deeply moved by the bravery of the women and girls of Iran in their protest against the brutal murder of Masha Amini by the so called 'morality police'. 

"They are continuing to protest, with more and more men joining in, despite high levels of oppression by the Iranian officials.

"Women across the world are showing support and I am proud to be part of Renfrewshire Council's solidarity with the protesters."

Councillor Janis MacDonald, who represents Paisley Northwest, added: "Iranian protestors are chanting 'Woman, life, freedom' in response to the death of Mahsa Amini and the many other women and girls who have lost their lives at the hands of the Iranian security forces. 

"We stand in solidarity with our Iranian sisters and the people of Iran."