It all started with a small vigil and protest before the election. kasra hospital, in Tehran. Inside was the motionless but still alive body of a 22-year-old girl, protected by the police. Mahsa Amini. A few days ago, on September 12, this young woman was arrested by the Iranian morality police for wearing this outfit. islamic veil “very low”. According to Iranian authorities – they still defend this version – the girl died alone in custody. heart attack caused by “a previous disease”. According to the family and the images that appeared on social networks from inside the hospital, Aminí beaten, beaten, killed by their agents morality police It was stated that he was detained while leaving the subway in the north of the Iranian capital.
She would never come out of her coma again: The young woman died on September 16, exactly one year ago this Saturday. After the incident was heard, the first protest was held at the hospital gate. “We will kill what our brother killed! The few protesters who gathered chanted “Down with the dictator!” yell. Amini’s funeral, violently repressed by the authorities, was the final spark: for the next few months and almost until spring, demonstrations across the country were so large that violent and deadly.
There are still some occasional protests at this time. TeheranBut the movement came under enormous pressure Islamic Republic — not used by the police but a paramilitary structure formed by former convicts who turned into a lawsuit ‘basis’—, drowned. This doesn’t mean he’s dead. “The strength of protests should not be measured solely by the number of individuals gathered at a given time.” public space“, writes the expert think tank WE Atlantic Council, Holly Dagres.
“Iranian women protest every day by not wearing headscarves” compulsory veil Despite the threat of detention, job loss or even forced dismissal cleaning the bodies in the morgue As punishment. Iran’s young generation agrees civil disobedience In the most ordinary and everyday ways,” adds Dagres.
Deaths and sentences
According to Iranian human rights organizations, 530 people died During a wave of protests against government oppression. Almost 20,000They were also arrested; Hundreds remain in police custody or have been sentenced to prison for taking part in demonstrations described by Iran’s supreme leader, the Ayatollah, as an “international conspiracy”. Ali Khamenei.
Eight of those arrested were sentenced to death and later executed. “Khamenei and other high-ranking officials of the country, united front “He decided not to make concessions to the Protestants, knowing that making concessions would give wings to the protest movement.” Saint of ArashIranian political scientist and professor Clemson Universityinside United States of America.
“But at the same time, many strategists of the Iranian regime are aware of this. public discontent It’s ongoing and the government will need to do something about it. Still, compulsory headscarf continues and there are no plans to do so political opening in the short term,” Azizi continues.
Heavier prison sentences
In fact, the Iranian Parliament approved a law in August. increase penalties To women who do not wear their headscarves “correctly”. New legislation provides more opportunities prison sentences It is aimed at women who violate the dress code and opens the door for the Iranian Government to use it. artificial intelligence Searching for women and punishing them.
“This new law has only one meaning: gender ‘apartheid’ It is now legal in Iran. The regime now has legal recourse to treat women. second class citizens“said an exiled Iranian activist in August Masih Alinejad.