Living in a democracy means that every 3-4 years, different levels of government (local, state or federal) want your vote. In addition to voting, contacting your representative is THE most effective way of advocating for change. It is you, after all, that these people are paid to listen to. It is your concerns that should be represented.

In this section, I will cover: Write, Call, Spread the Word and Donate.

Write

Knowing what to write is hard, but there are a lot of resources out there. I have heard that a mailed letter is more effective. I’m not 100% sure of that, but it doesn’t hurt.

I have a few letter templates here that you can use to get started. It’s always important to have your own words and flair to the letter. That way it comes across as personalised and more likely to be responded to.

Proscribing IRGC as a terrorist organisation (NEW)
Letter Template

Executions in Iran
Letter Template

Chemical Gas Attack on Schoolgirls
Letter Template

Political Sponsorship
Letter Template
Zaniar Tondro Letter template

General
Letter templates

Find your local representative here.

I am lucky in that my local representative has written back and she is doing great things like sponsoring jailed protesters and advocating the government to do more.

Keep writing.

We need to continue writing to ensure that this issue doesn’t fall down the list and start getting ignored.

Call

I have to admit, I have not done this much myself as I find it daunting. If you would like to back you letter up with a phone call, there is some etiquette to consider:

• Write your script beforehand – so you can speak clearly and to the point.
• Be respectful. After all, the person on the other end of the call is not the actual politician, but someone who works in their office. Being polite is more likely to get a helpful ear, than not.
• Personal touch – add any personal touches that you think help in getting your point across. If you have any experience from a legal standpoint or firsthand knowledge of the issues, please outline those.
• Stay factual –  Refer to the news section here and if you have your script, you should be fine. This is an emotional topic for all of us, but expressing conspiracy theories or hearsay will not help the cause be taken seriously as it should be.
• Keep it short and to the point
• If there has been a recent event, or news, include that in the call. That is, if there is to be a discussion, consideration of legislation etc. Timing of the call will also help create impact.

Sample script

Hello my name is, (NAME) and I am one of your constituents. I am calling because I would like the Federal government to take further practical and tangible action against the Islamic Republic in Iran. The Women, Life, Freedom revolution is taking place in Iran to end gender apartheid, recognise and celebrate religious and ethnic diversity as well as protect the rights of the LGBTQI+ community.

More than 500 people, many very young, have been killed. Four people have been hanged following sham trials, many more are in danger of death. Men and women have been raped, blinded, maimed and more recently female students have been the victims of chemical attacks.

While I welcome the initial sanctions, I am asking you to/ or advocate to (depending on whether you are calling a Labour minister, or Liberal/ Greens/ Independent) introduce legislation that paves the way for the IRGC to be listed as a terrorist organisation under the criminal code in Australia. In the meantime, I ask that further Maginsky sanctions be introduced targeting senior leadership from across the regime involved in human rights violations.

Thank you for your time and considering my request.

Spread the word

Getting information and maintaining focus on

Social media

Whether it’s using video, photo or written content, social media is being used effectively by those opposed to the IRI to spread the word about what is happening in Iran. It’s an important tool, as there are counter efforts to misinform, so for me, this is one of the activities that I think we can all easily play.

Tag politicians, celebrities, news outlets etc as a way of amplifying your message and directing it to key people.  

Use the right hashtags. From time to time, there are social media campaigns around a specific cause. I would only caution making sure you use  the spelling etc as there is a cyber army working to splinter these efforts. The below is a sample of the most widely used hashtags.

#MahsaAmini

#IRGCTerrorists

#FreeToomaj

#IranRevolution

#IranNationwideStrikes

#IranChemicalAttacks

#SaveIranianSchoolGirls

Donate

With a lack of internal trusted charities, it’s hard to know who to support. One organisation that has consistently stood for human rights in Iran is Amnesty International.

They currently have a campaign for fundraiasing: LINK

As I find out about other good and reputable charities I will add them here