‘Speak up for freedom in Iran’

WUR students and staff express solidarity with the freedom protests in Iran.

17-10-2022

Many attendees cut a lock of hair to express their solidarity with the protesters in Iran. Photo Luuk Zegers

The Solidarity for Iran gathering in Forum on Monday, 17 October, drew a large crowd. When all the chairs in the room are occupied, some visitors sit on the floor while they watch presentations on the situation in Iran and listen to protest songs.

For the reader who is unaware of the context: Iranians have been protesting for weeks, demanding more freedom and rights for women. The protests were sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in the Guidance Patrol (morality police) custody after she was arrested for not wearing her headscarf properly. Eyewitnesses say she was beaten after her arrest, which put her in a coma. She died three days later. People have taken to the streets in protest since 26 September, burning the mandatory hijabs and cutting their hair. The protests are met with extreme police violence, leading to numerous casualties.

Women in Iran are considered criminals if they dance, sing, ride a bicycle or kiss someone they love

Back to the gathering. One of the Iranian initiators reads a statement. ‘Women in Iran are considered criminals if they dance, sing, ride a bicycle or kiss someone they love. The government seeks to bar us from society. These protests are about women’s rights, democracy and freedom.’ The speaker points out that Iranians have trouble expressing their concerns in public for fear of being denied re-entry into the country or placing their families at risk. ‘Since the start of the protests, over two hundred people have been killed. At least 28 of them were children aged between 7 and 17. Hundreds have been arrested, tortured or have disappeared. Our fellow students in Iran are in mortal danger.’

Sanctions

Woman, Life, Freedom. The slogan of the protests in Iran.

What can we do from here? ‘Share our message on social media and call on your government to impose sanctions. People who support the regime, and their families, enjoy freedom in the West, while those calling for freedom in Iran are killed.’ The speaker points out the example of the Canadian government, which has announced sanctions that will restrict access to the country for 10,000 Iranians with close ties to the government. ‘Do not underestimate your impact.’ WUR should make a statement, says the speaker. ‘This is an international institute. Speak up. Our fellow students in Iran need us. And, for our sisters and brothers in Iran: we stand with you, we fight with you.’

If they are so obsessed with our hair, they can have it!

One of the ways to demonstrate solidarity with the women of Iran and the freedom protests is to cut off a lock of hair. At the end of the meeting, the organisers grab a pair of scissors, cut off a lock of hair and put it in an envelope. ‘We will send this to the embassy in The Hague. If they are so obsessed with our hair, they can have it!’ There is applause, and pretty soon, there is a queue for the scissors.