The arrest and death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini sparked the protests. Morality police arrested her on September 13th for allegedly violating Iran’s laws which require women to cover their hair. The police report stated she suffered from a heart attack; however, alleged evidence indicates Amini was beaten on the head with a baton. Protests began shortly after her funeral when women ripped their headscarves in solidarity. Since then, protests have continued as the people demand fundamental human rights from the state
While the protests initially began in reaction to Mahsa Amini’s murder, they have become a movement demanding equal rights for women in Iran. Iran is known to be an Islamic state and enforces strict laws requiring everyone to adhere to Muslim standards and beliefs. This includes the mandatory wearing of a headscarf or hijab and the covering of women’s bodies. The people of Iran, the women of Iran, want bodily autonomy; they want the right to choose. Since Mahsa Amini’s death, protestors have continued rioting on Iran’s streets. As of November 10th, 2022, at least 328 people have been killed and 14,825 others arrested, according to human rights activists in Iran. Local activists have been monitoring the protests since they began on September 16th
According to BBC, one female protester in her 20s, who spent a week in prison and was recently released on bail, stated that she witnessed “physical and psychological torture, and other ill-treatment, prison guards refusing to give jailers their medications, women having their hands smashed so severely that all their fingernails are broken, prisoners with cancer being refused treatment, countless prisoners are forced to stay in jail because judges are demanding hefty bails, Women are now setting their headscarves on fire and cutting their hair in public whilst chanting “women, life, freedom” and death to the dictator” – this being in reference to the current leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
For weeks the Iranian government has remained silent on casualty figures while state media has continuously claimed the security forces have killed no one. They continue to play down demonstrations and suppress protestors with force. The supreme leader has even accused the United States and Israel (state enemies to Iran) of orchestrating “riots .” Currently, Iranian lawmakers have urged the country’s judiciary to show no leniency to protestors as thousands continue to riot on the streets. Reportedly on November 6th, in an open letter signed by 227 of Iran’s 290 members of Parliament, the lawmakers called for protestors to be taught a “good lesson” to deter threats to the state (protestors, activists. The Iranian Parliament has deemed those partaking in riots and demonstrations are now enemies of God and, therefore, should be punishable by death.
Nobody is exempt from the wrath of the regime. Iranian celebrities are among those who are facing charges for speaking out against the government. In November, Hengameh Ghaziani and Katayoun Riahi were arrested for “provocative” social media posts that showed their hair. They are accused of inciting and supporting the “riots” and communicating with opposition media. One of Iran’s most famous actresses, Taraneh Alidoosti, was detained by Iranian authorities for criticizing the state’s use of the death penalty against protestors. Before her arrest Taraneh had made a post on her social media of a picture of herself in which she was not wearing the hijab and holding a piece of paper reading “women, life, freedom.” – This is the slogan used by activists.
The United States, European Union, Canada and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and entities. In return, Tehran (the capital of Iran) has responded with sanctions of their own. Over the last few months, serious concerns have arisen about Iran’s role in international policy. In December, the 54-member UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) adopted a resolution proposed by the United States to remove Iran from the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) for the remainder of its four-year term (until 2026); in return, Iran rejected this proposal. The country’s ambassador stated, “It is not at all unexpected that the United States is taking such unlawful action against Iran, given its long-standing hostility towards the Iranian people, but if carried out, it would be exceedingly dangerous to the UN system integrity.” Despite the government cracking down on protestors, the people of Iran refuse to back down and continue to show their resilience and dedication in their fight for equality.
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By: Mejgan Shefa
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