Justin Wong, Sep 24 2022
JUSTIN WONG/STUFF
Members of the Iranian community gathered in Wellington on Saturday to protest the Iranian regime after 22-year-old Masha Amini died in morality police custody.
More than 100 people, most of whom were from New Zealand’s Iranian community, braved the rain to gather at Wellington’s Cuba St on Saturday to protest the death of Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, with some cutting their hair in mourning.
Amini died in Iran’s capital Tehran last Friday, three days after being detained by the country’s morality police for having some hair visible under her hijab (headscarf). The unit, known as Gasht-e Ershad (Guidance Patrol), is responsible for enforcing the country’s Islamic morals and harsh dressing rules.
The 22-year-old’s death sparked angry protests around the country, with women burning hijabs, and crowds calling for the removal of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
READ MORE:
* Iran warns Mahsa Amini protesters against unrest, stages counter-demonstrations
* CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour says Iran's president cancelled interview when she wouldn't cover head
* Pivotal moment as many Iranians unite in outrage over death in custody
JUSTIN WONG/STUFF
Protest organiser Hanna Habibi (right) cut her hair as in the Kurdish custom of mourning alongside MP Golriz Ghahraman (left).
In Wellington, protesters held signs demanding Iran to end oppression against women and echoed the protest slogan “women, life, freedom”. There were also emotional scenes when around 10 protesters, including organiser Hanna Habibi and Green MP Golriz Ghahraman, cut their hair as is the Kurdish custom of mourning.
Habibi, who is Kurdish and have been living in New Zealand since 2016, said it was “outrageous” and “ridiculous” that things like this was happening in the 21st century.
“A woman in Iran count as half a man,” she said. “I have lived under that regime for 26 years – all my life – until I left. I have experienced every second of oppression and injustice on equal rights in Iran.”
The local Iranian community had been angry and sad at what happened in their homeland, Habibi also said, and the fight for equal rights had been ongoing since Islamists seized power in 1979.
JUSTIN WONG/STUFF
More than 100 people gathered for the protest at Wellington’s Cuba Street on Saturday.
Ghahraman, who fled Iran in 1990 with her family who resettled as refugees in New Zealand, told the crowd she still remembered the “terror” of being out on the streets as a young girl with other women when the authorities came by.
“I remember the way women [officials] had to check our dresses over and over again,” she said. “We’ve never accepted that oppression and neither have Iranian men.”
Kurdish-Iranian writer Behrouz Boochani, who was granted refugee status in New Zealand after being detained on Manus Island for six years, was also at the protest. He said while what’s happening in Tehran was important, people should pay more attention to regions in western Iran where Kurds form the majority population because the first protests originated there.
Boochani also said compared to previous anti-regime protests that he had seen, the cause united Iranians of different social standings. The 2009 Green Movement was about reforms, while protests in 2017 and 2019 were initiated by the working class, he said.
JUSTIN WONG/STUFF
Kurdish-Iranian writer Behrouz Boochani says the current protest has united Iranians across different social spectrums.
“This time, middle-class people, marginalised peoples and working class people get together. I haven’t seen Iranian people been united like this.”
Widespread internet blackouts meant many Iranians cannot contact their friends and families back home, and Habibi wanted New Zealanders to be their voice and the New Zealand Government to take a stand and condemn Tehran’s actions.
“They can share our story. They can tell other people in the world what we're going through and that that's going to be extremely helpful,” she said.
“I understand it might be confusing people [but] we’re not anti-hijab. We’re fighting for women’s freedom of choice to wear a hijab if you want. And now we need their support and to be heard.”
Iranian women cut their hair in protest.
Sometimes a movement brings you to tears; tears that are mixed with pride, solidarity and sorrow, and that's exactly what this movement is doing across social media. A 22-year-old Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, was arrested recently by the morality police in Iran for not fully covering her hair with her hijab. While in police custody, where she was supposed to be reprimanded and educated about the proper way to wear a hijab, Amini was severely beaten before falling into a coma and passing away. The untimely death of Amini ignited a movement that is taking over Iran.
After the 22-year-old's funeral, protests broke out in the streets where women pulled off their hijabs and burned them. Since the news of her death spread, Iranian women have been removing their hijabs and cutting their hair in a moving display of protest and solidarity. Many of the women who have uploaded videos of themselves cutting off their hair to TikTok have been in tears. Women revealing their hair in public and online is extremely risky. In 1983, the religious revolutionary leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini began enforcing a modesty law that required women to cover their hair or face 74 lashes.
Since 1995, women caught without their hair covered in public can also face up to 60 days in jail as well as fines. Seeing women in Iran defiantly cut, burn or rip their hijab in public is truly awe-inspiring because the risks are so great. But the women are not alone in their fight to abolish the morality police and hold them accountable for the death of Amini. Men in Iran are not only showing solidarity by shaving their heads, they're showing up in the streets, seemingly acting as protectors and accomplices.
In one video, a girl with beautiful long dark hair sections her hair off before taking small scissors and cutting it close to her scalp. She begins to break down with the first cut, but she finishes before crying into her hands. Music plays in the background and words are displayed over the video explaining why the unknown woman is cutting her hair
This isn't the first time Iranian's have protested the hijab. When the idea of a national modesty dress code was introduced in 1979, people protested, which temporarily caused the country's leader to walk back on publicly pushing it before it became law a few years later. According to U.S. News, there has been a steady push back against the hijab rule since 2014 after the creation of an online campaign called My Stealthy Freedom. The campaign collected pictures of Iranian women without their hair covered.
The protests going on today are large in number and happening despite the country shutting down internet and social media channels in an effort to control the narrative and reduce coverage of the protests. But videos continue to pop up online showing things burning and people filling the streets chanting. One video that has more than 900,000 views and more than 200,000 likes shows a crowd gathered while women burn their hijabs.
Videos are appearing on TikTok claiming to show the continued unrest in the streets. The hashtag #MahsaAmini on TikTok is filled with videos of people cutting their hair, crowds gathered in the streets and stories of the 22-year-old whose death may have spurred a revolution.
Events are still unfolding in Iran and with internet access being cut, the information about continued protests may become more difficult to come by. But the videos that are making their way to social media are as inspiring as they are heartbreaking. Hopefully protests on this scale will bring about real change for the women in Iran.
VIDEO: Iranian women take off their
headscarves during protest, at least 50
dead
7 hours ago
Gulf Today Report
At least 50 people have been killed in a crackdown by Iranian security forces following protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini while she was in the custody of the morality police, an NGO said.
The Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) said the rise in the toll came after six people died after being attacked by security forces in the town of Rezvanshahr, in the northern province of Gilan, on Thursday evening.
Video footage posted on social media showed Iranian women taking off their headscarves as protesters cheer them on during a rally in Iran's city of Saveh.
Demonstrations have spread to most major urban centres after the death of Kurdish woman Mahsa in police custody after her arrest last week by Iran's morality police for allegedly wearing a hijab in an "improper" way.
Other deaths were recorded in Babol and Amol, also in northern Iran.
There have been protests in about 80 cities and other urban centers since the protests began a week ago, he added.
Human rights groups have also reported deaths in the northern Kurdistan region, where Amini is from.
State-organised demonstrations took place in several Iranian cities to counter nationwide anti-government unrest triggered by Amini’s death in police custody, with marchers calling for the execution of "rioters.
On the other hand, American tech firms will be allowed to expand their business in Iran, where most Internet access has been cut off in response to anti-government protests, the Treasury Department said on Friday.
50 killed in Iran protest crackdown, says NGO;
thousands join pro-hijab rallies
Hundreds of Iranians across at least 13 cities from Tehran to Mahsa Amini's hometown of Saqez have poured into the streets, voicing pent-up anger over social and political repression. Authorities have alleged that unnamed foreign countries and opposition groups are trying to foment unrest.
At least 50 people have been killed after Iranian security forces cracked down on protests which erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested by the morality police, Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said on Friday, reported news agency AFP.
The NGO said the number of deaths went up after six people were killed by fire from the security forces in Rezvanshahr town, northern Gilan province, on Thursday night, with other deaths recorded in Babol and Amol, also in northern Iran. State TV, meanwhile, suggested the death toll from this week's unrest could be as high as 26.
There had been protests in some 80 cities and other urban centres since the demonstrations started one week ago, it added.
Anti-government protests across Iran
Iranian counterprotesters gathered across the country on Friday in a show of support for authorities after nearly a week of anti-government protests and unrest over the death of a young woman who was being held by the morality police.
A few thousand people attended a rally in the capital, Tehran, where they waved Iranian flags, and similar demonstrations were held in other cities. The government claimed the demonstrations of support were spontaneous. Similar rallies have been held during past periods of widespread protests.
The pro-government demonstrators chanted against America and Israel, according to state media, reflecting the official line that foreign countries are fomenting the latest unrest.
Why sudden unrest in Iran
The crisis unfolding in Iran began as a public outpouring of anger over the death of Amini, a young woman who was arrested by the morality police in Tehran last week for allegedly wearing her Islamic headscarf too loosely. The police said she died of a heart attack and was not mistreated, but her family has cast doubt on that account.
Amini's death has sparked sharp condemnation from Western countries and the United Nations and touched a national nerve. Hundreds of Iranians across at least 13 cities from Tehran to Amini's northwest Kurdish hometown of Saqez have poured into the streets, voicing pent-up anger over social and political repression. Authorities have alleged that unnamed foreign countries and opposition groups are trying to foment unrest.
Videos on social media show protesters in Tehran torching a police car and confronting officers at close range. Elsewhere in the capital, videos show gunfire sounding out as protesters bolt from riot police, shouting: “They are shooting at people! Oh my God, they're killing people!”
(With inputs from agencies)
Iranian Dissident Journalist Holds Up Phone on MSNBC to Show Women Killed for Protesting Regime
Sep 23rd, 2022, During a powerful appearance on MSNBC, Iranian dissident journalist Masih Alinejad held up her phone to show photos of women in Iran killed by the regime for protesting.
The protests in Iran were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, who was died last week after she was allegedly beaten by police for defying the country’s rules on wearing a hijab
Appearing on Friday’s Andrea Mitchell Reports, Alinejad said the ongoing protests are different than the unsuccessful 2009 Green Revolution.
She explained:
First of all, I have to say that since the revolution, because after the [1979] Islamic Revolution there was a massive protest where women were waiving their head scarf. Since then, this is the first time that Iranian women in front line burning the head scarf. Believe me, they’re not fighting against a small piece of cloth. They’re not fighting against compulsory hijab. Clearly they’re fighting against the gender apartheid regime. Because compulsory hijab is like the main visible symbol of ISIS, Taliban and Islamic Republic.
For Islamic Republic, this is like the Berlin Wall. If we tear this wall down, then the Islamic Republic that won’t exist. So that is why it’s different because, clearly, Iranian women are chanting death to dictators and that is scares the regime. That is why they open fire on innocent people.Holding up her phone, Alinejad said she wanted to “use this opportunity and show” that Iranian women “are just not statistics.” She swiped through pictures of women murdered by the regime for demonstrating.
During a powerful appearance on MSNBC, Iranian dissident journalist Masih Alinejad held up her phone to show photos of women in Iran killed by the regime for protesting.
The protests in Iran were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, who was died last week after she was allegedly beaten by police for defying the country’s rules on wearing a hijab
Appearing on Friday’s Andrea Mitchell Reports, Alinejad said the ongoing protests are different than the unsuccessful 2009 Green Revolution.
She explained:
First of all, I have to say that since the revolution, because after the [1979] Islamic Revolution there was a massive protest where women were waiving their head scarf. Since then, this is the first time that Iranian women in front line burning the head scarf. Believe me, they’re not fighting against a small piece of cloth. They’re not fighting against compulsory hijab. Clearly they’re fighting against the gender apartheid regime. Because compulsory hijab is like the main visible symbol of ISIS, Taliban and Islamic Republic.For Islamic Republic, this is like the Berlin Wall. If we tear this wall down, then the Islamic Republic that won’t exist. So that is why it’s different because, clearly, Iranian women are chanting death to dictators and that is scares the regime. That is why they open fire on innocent people.
Holding up her phone, Alinejad said she wanted to “use this opportunity and show” that Iranian women “are just not statistics.” She swiped through pictures of women murdered by the regime for demonstrating.
Iran’s all-female police squad units
dragging hijab protestors to death
row prisons
Iran has deployed a "special women's unit" of gun-wielding commandos to crack down on the protests that have erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody
Ethan Blackshaw
Iran has deployed an all-female police unit armed with assault rifles in a bid to quell the protests that have swept across the country in recent days.
The protests erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, in police custody after she was detained for allegedly failing to adhere to the country's strict hijab rules.
Police claim she had a heart attack at the station and went into a coma, dying two days later on September 16. Witnesses say she was severely beaten by police, with leaked medical scans suggesting that led to her death.
READ MORE: Iran's twisted morality police beat and torture women who show hair in public
Protestors have been seen waving and burning headscarf's shouting "death to the dictator". Iran's vicious Revolutionary Guard have cracked down on them brutally, with 26 dead according to local media.
Now, president Ebrahim Raisi is asking some of the country's 7,000 female cops to help with the crackdown.
According to The Sun, it is believed the undercover unit of female cops will be working to infiltrate groups of protestors.
The unit's leader, Colonel Heydari, told local media: "The arrival of our women's police force is to bring peace.
"I'm sorry to see other women in these protests carrying out illegal actions that are inconsistent with social rules.
"We are here to oppose them in accordance with procedures based on Islamic values."
The unit was established by the Faraja Public Service Organisation, which is part of the Iranian Armed Forces and closely linked to the country's repressive police force.
Colonel Heydari has spoken of their task as photographing anyone seen violating morality laws or suspected of spreading chaos, but images of female officers wielding guns and abseiling down buildings suggests their role may be more hands-on.
Women were welcomed into Iranian law enforcement for the first time since the 1979 revolution in 2003.
Their three-year training regime includes mastering guns, judo, fencing and explosives.
Images from the graduation ceremonies of female officers appear to show them holding MP5s and AK-47s whilst donning full traditional dress in the green and gold of the Iranian Police.
Women are also understood to be able to work for The Guidance Patrol, also known as the morality police, who were responsible for the arrest of Mahsa.
UN urges Iran not to use 'unnecessary' force as anti-hijab protest death toll touches 50
The United Nations has urged Iran not to use 'unnecessary' force after the anti-hijab protest crackdown's death toll touched 50.
India Today Web Desk
Anti-hijab protesters take to Tehran streets. (Photo: AFP)
Over 50 people have been killed after Iranian security forces cracked down on the crackdown on protests that erupted over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by the country’s morality police, an Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said.
The Oslo-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said the rise in the toll came after six people were killed by fire from the security forces in the town of Rezvanshahr in the northern Gilan province on Thursday night, with other deaths recorded in Babol and Amol, also in northern Iran, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).
ALSO READ | Anti-hijab protests rock Iran over Mahsa Amini’s death in custody: What we know so far
UN URGES IRAN NOT TO USE 'UNNECESSARY' FORCE
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed for Iranian security forces to refrain from using "unnecessary or disproportionate force" against anti-government protests.
He also urged everyone to exercise restraint to avoid further escalation, said Guterres' spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
"We are concerned about reports of peaceful protests being met with excessive use of force leading to dozens of deaths and injuries," Dujarric told reporters in New York. "We further call on the authorities to respect the right to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association."
US HELPS EXPAND INTERNET FREEDOM IN IRAN
The US National Security Agency (NSA) has said the US treasury and state department were helping expand internet freedom in Iran amid the government crackdown.
“We’ll continue to hold Iranian officials accountable and support the brave Iranians protesting following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran‘s Morality Police,” the security agency said.
ELON MUSK TO ACTIVATE STARLINK
Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is also the founder of SpaceX, on Friday said he was activating a satellite internet service, Starlink, amid the internet shutdown in Iran. Musk's response came to a tweet by a high-ranking US official who said the US took action "to advance internet freedom and the free flow of information" to Iranians. The US government on Friday issued guidelines to expand internet services to Iranians despite US sanctions over the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.
PROTESTERS BURN STATUE OF RELIGIOUS LEADER
Agitators have burnt the statue of Iran’s supreme religious leader Khamenei's statue his own hometown Mashhad amid rising protests after he refrained from commenting on ongoing protests in his first public appearance since anti-regime demonstrations sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody escalated.
PRO-GOVERNMENT RALLIES HELD AMID MASSIVE PROTESTS
Counterprotesters held rallies across the country on Friday in a show of support for authorities after a week of anti-government protests. Thousands attended the rally in Tehran, where they waved Iranian flags. Similar demonstrations were held in other cities. However, the government claimed the demonstrations of support were spontaneous.
The pro-government counterprotesters chanted slogans against America and Israel, according to state media.
Amini’s death for "unsuitable attire" attracted strong ire as in recent years, millions of Iranian women have opposed the law which makes hijab compulsory for women in Iran. Under Iran's sharia (Islamic) law, imposed after the 1979 revolution, women are obliged to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothes to disguise their figures. Violators face public rebuke, fines or arrest. The morality police are charged with enforcing that and other restrictions, which has been criticized in recent years, especially for its treatment of young women.
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