Letter in Solidarity with the People of Iran

Dear KFA Colleagues,

On behalf of the KFA Executive, we would like to circulate the attached letter in solidarity with the people of Iran as recommended by KFA Human Rights and International Solidarity Representative Sara Naderi and approved by the KFA Executive Committee. For convenience, I have also copied the letter below:

Since late December 2025, streets across Iran have witnessed a renewed wave of protests, as people voice deep discontent with ongoing economic hardship (imposed by both government malfunction and international sanctions), political repression, and the denial of basic freedoms. Since January 8, widespread internet shutdowns across the country have severely restricted communication and access to information, enabling state violence to unfold beyond the scrutiny of the international community.

Independent reports and human rights organizations indicate that thousands of protesters have been killed or injured in a brutal campaign of repression. While the exact death toll remains unknown due to information blackouts, the limited images reveal an unprecedented level of brutality against protesters. These events have left Iranian communities around the world grappling with profound shock, grief, anger, and horror.

At the same time, the appropriation and instrumentalization of the Iranian protest movement within mainstream media narratives, in the service of imperial and colonial interests, has further marginalized many Iranian voices. This has left members of the Iranian diaspora feeling silenced and pressured, unable to express their legitimate concerns about the mass murdering of people inside Iran without their experiences being distorted or co-opted by dominant discursive forces. (be it the Iranian government or imperialist propaganda).

In line with its values of social justice, freedom of expression, and academic freedom, the Kwantlen Faculty Association (KFA) expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people, both inside and outside Iran, and unequivocally condemns the violent repression and killing of protesters. We affirm the non-negotiable right of the Iranian people to self-determination, free from both domestic oppression and imperialist military interventions. We express our heartfelt support for Iranian students, scholars, and community members who have been directly or indirectly affected by these events.

Within the KPU community, we strongly encourage faculty, staff, and administrators to remain mindful of the complex political and humanitarian conditions Iranian community members are experiencing. We support the freedom of speech of all faculty, staff, and students to express their perspectives, including viewpoints that have been suppressed—whether by the Iranian state or by dominant Western media narratives. We further call on faculty and administrators to take the circumstances of Iranian students into consideration by extending understanding, flexibility, and appropriate academic support during this ongoing crisis.

This message is sent on behalf of the KFA Executive.

In Solidarity,

Mark Diotte

President, Kwantlen Faculty Association,

president@yourkfa.ca