2024-11-02 22:16:00
An Iranian student was arrested in Tehran for stripping down to her underwear in protest against the Basij militia. The woman, studying at the private Asad University in Tehran, was harassed by members of the Revolutionary Guard militia, activists said on Saturday. The security guards on campus tore her clothes. In protest, she walked through the streets in her underwear, as a video shows.
Further images show the young woman being dragged into a car by men in civilian clothes. According to Amir Kabir, the student, whose identity was not revealed, was beaten during the arrest. The video was apparently recorded by residents of a building near the university. It was first published by the Iranian student portal Amir Kabir and later distributed by numerous other websites, including the news site Iran Wire and the site of the human rights group Hengaw.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has strict clothing regulations that are increasingly being aggressively ignored by the younger generation. Their compliance is also checked by so-called moral watchdogs. Since the nationwide protests in autumn 2022, many women in major cities have been resisting the requirement to wear a headscarf. A case like this, in which a woman strips down to her underwear, was previously unknown.
Pro-government media reported that the university’s security service had handed the student over to the police. They rejected the portrayal on social media and spoke of the young woman’s “mental problems”. The incident is being investigated, it said. Your privacy must be respected. An Iranian student association reported that the woman was admitted to a psychiatric clinic. The human rights organization Amnesty International called for their immediate release.
Iran’s notorious moral watchdogs increased their patrols in major cities again at the beginning of the year. Violence against women and girls who resisted controls and arrests were reported in several cases. The new, conservative-moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian promised during the election campaign to address this issue. According to critics, however, the police’s course has hardly changed so far. The obligation to wear a headscarf is considered one of the ideological pillars of the Islamic Republic.
The Iranian branch of Amnesty International demanded on online service X that the authorities must “immediately and unconditionally release” the young woman. The allegations of beatings and sexual violence during her arrest must be investigated independently and impartially, the organization added.
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**Interview with Dr. Sara Farahani, Human Rights Activist and Iranian Studies Scholar**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Farahani. Recently, we’ve seen alarming reports about a student who was arrested in Tehran after a protest against the Basij militia. Can you provide some context for this incident?
**Dr. Farahani:** Thank you for having me. This incident is part of a larger wave of protests in Iran, particularly among students and young people who are increasingly vocal against the oppressive measures of the Islamic Republic. The Basij militia has a notorious reputation for harassing individuals, especially women, regarding dress codes and other personal freedoms. This particular event highlights the desperation and courage of young Iranians demanding change.
**Interviewer:** The student reportedly stripped down to her underwear in protest after being harassed. What does this act signify in terms of the movement against the Iranian regime?
**Dr. Farahani:** Stripping down is a powerful symbolic gesture of defiance. It conveys not just rejection of the regime’s imposed dress codes but also a broader message of fighting against the systematic oppression of women’s rights in Iran. This act showcases the willingness of young women to confront the regime’s authority publicly, emphasizing that they will not be silenced or shamed.
**Interviewer:** The video of her arrest showed her being dragged by men in civilian clothes. What does this reveal about the tactics used by the Iranian authorities?
**Dr. Farahani:** This kind of aggressive and brutal response from the authorities is not uncommon. The use of plainclothes agents aims to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation among the populace. It also underscores the regime’s attempt to suppress dissent by brutal means. The fact that this incident was filmed and shared widely suggests that despite these efforts, people are seeking to document and expose the truth about governmental violence.
**Interviewer:** Activists and human rights groups have been vocal about this incident. How do you see international response playing a role in these ongoing issues in Iran?
**Dr. Farahani:** International awareness and pressure can be crucial. When the global community brings attention to these human rights violations, it can lead to diplomatic actions and, hopefully, some pressure on the Iranian government to change its practices. Solidarity movements, alongside sanctions targeted at those complicit in these abuses, can also help empower the Iranian people in their struggle for basic rights.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Farahani. Your insights help shed light on the ongoing struggle for human rights in Iran.
**Dr. Farahani:** Thank you for addressing these vital issues. It’s important that we continue to speak out and support those fighting for their rights.
