The death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of morality police after being arrested for breaking hijab rules has sparked violent demonstrations across Iran.
Iranians have taken to the streets to protest the death of Mahsa Amini. Ozan Kose. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The past week has seen violent protests and demonstrations break out in 40 cities across Iran after 22 year old Mahsa Amini passed away on Friday in the country’s capital. Her alleged violation of hijab rules resulted in her arrest on Tuesday by the local Gasht-e-Ershad (guidance patrol) during a visit to Tehran to see relatives. It was in their custody that Amini died after being beaten by the patrol, her family and several eyewitnesses claim. This is, of course, where the story put forth by government officials differs: they reject the accounts and claim that Amini was taken to hospital where she died of a heart attack despite having no history of heart-related troubles.
Though by no means a new topic of discussion, Amini’s death has refocused the spotlight on the restrictive standards of living legally imposed on women in Iran, with mandatory head coverings for women in public at the top of the list. Female protesters have been seen cutting their hair and burning their hijabs in an ostensibly more visceral reaction to the event than the country has ever seen before.
The first vice squad of the guidance patrol on duty in Tehran. Satyar Emami. CC BY 2.0.
Iran underwent its Islamic Revolution in 1979 during which the country’s monarchy was overthrown and the Islamic Republic was formed with Ayatollah Khomeini claiming the title of Supreme Leader of Iran. His government introduced a mandatory dress code for all women which only allowed them to wear loose fitting clothing in order to hide their figures and required them to wear a head covering in public. These laws have since been enforced by the aforementioned Gasht-e-Ershad; the so-called “morality police” are notorious for publicly chastising and arresting women who, in their view, fail to comply with the standards of behavior and dress considered socially acceptable in the conservative Islamic republic.
Women in Iran cut their hair in protest against Mahsa Amini’s death. Yasin Akgul. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
In addition to being under intense scrutiny from foreign governments, certain Iranian lawmakers and clergy have also spoken up against the patrol’s actions and have asked for investigations into the methods employed by the patrols as well. The sentiment joins that expressed by UN Secretary General António Guterres who called on the Iranian government to “respect women’s rights and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls”. Unfortunately, this condemnation has done little to stem the violence thus far, with various sources reporting the death toll as anywhere between 30 and 41 people.
Protestors voiced their anger against the regime imposed by Iranian authorities. Marjan Sadat. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Iranian authorities have responded to the wide scale protests by implementing restrictions on internet access across the country in an effort to curb the further organization of public gatherings. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a specialized group within the iranian military, have also called on the public to identify protestors and report them to the authorities, which will add to the roughly 1,200 people who have been arrested so far including members of the press.
The reaction of the Iranian government has only served to further incense those who believe that the country’s regime is equal parts anachronistic and oppressive. A lot of the frustration being expressed by protestors, especially women, has built up over years of having their every move policed according to standards that international human rights organizations have long since criticized for their antiquated and inhibitory nature. Mahsa Amini’s death has made her a martyr among those fighting for change.
To Get Involved:
Demonstrations haven’t not been confined within Iran’s borders -- local activist groups across the world have and are continuing to organize protests and marches in support of Iranian women’s rights. For those interested in participating, social media is a great way of keeping up to date on upcoming events. If you are aware of an Iranian community organization near you, get in touch with them to stay in the loop as well.
Tanaya Vohra
Tanaya is an undergraduate student pursuing a major in Public Health at the University of Chicago. She's lived in Asia, Europe and North America and wants to share her love of travel and exploring new cultures through her writing.