Protests have been taking place across Iran since the death of Mahsa Amini
At least 50 people have been killed after day eight of anti-hijab protests in Iran, according to a report from a human rights group.
For the last week, women have been taking to the streets in the country and burning their hijabs in protest against the death of Mahsa Amini.
The 22-year-old was arrested for allegedly violating the country’s strictly enforced dress code, which makes it obligatory for women to cover their heads.
This is a law that has been in place since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Morality police claim Amini was wearing her hijab too loosely.
But after being detained by police in Tehran, she collapsed and spent three days in a coma, before sadly passing away.
Police say she died from a heart attack, but her family believe she was severely mistreated by authorities, and independent experts linked to the United Nations (UN) say there is evidence to suggest she was badly beaten after being detained.
Following her death, thousands of women have been protesting in the streets of Iran. Many have been burning their head scarfs and cutting off their hair.
The scenes in Iran are astonishing. How far will these protests go?
pic.twitter.com/AJeHB0yyYB— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) September 20, 2022
Women of Iran-Saghez removed their headscarves in protest against the murder of Mahsa Amini 22 Yr old woman by hijab police and chanting:
death to dictator!
Removing hijab is a punishable crime in Iran. We call on women and men around the world to show solidarity. #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/ActEYqOr1Q
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) September 17, 2022
A report from Oslo-based group Iran Human Rights says that at least 50 people have been killed during the protests, double the official figure of 26.
A source told the group: “At least six people were killed as a result of direct bullet fired by security forces on Thursday night (22 September).
“Three of them were Farzin Lotfi, Sasan Ghorbani and Yasin Jamalzadeh. Farzin Lotfi was shot dead outside the Rezvan Shahr police station. Yassin Jamalzadeh was a father of two. ”
In videos on social media, police can be seen shooting at protestors in the street.
This video shows Iranian police forces shooting directly at protesters in the city of Rasht in northern Iran. Neighbors are heard telling them “don’t shoot at people.”
Video via @1500tasvir#IranProtests #IranProtests2022#Mahsa_Amini pic.twitter.com/Bt4kD466lf
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) September 23, 2022
The human rights group also says that there has been a national loss of connectivity across mobile networks in Iran and that the internet has been severely restricted in the country for the past two days.
This includes apps like Instagram and Whatsapp which are important in terms of getting news out of Iran.
Related links:
- Boy, 16, and two others charged with rape and murder of dad-of-one
- Netflix slammed for LGBTQ tag on Jeffrey Dahmer series
- Protestor sets arm on fire after invading tennis court during Laver Cup
