21 September 2022
Staff Report
Protests have erupted in Iran over the death of a 22-year-old woman. Mahsa Amini, the victim, was detained by Iran’s ‘morality police’ (Gasht-e Ershad) for not wearing the hijab properly.
Police say her death was an ‘unfortunate incident’ due to a pre-existing condition, but her parents and protesters claim she was killed.
Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, authorities in Iran imposed a mandatory dress code for women requiring them to wear a headscarf and loose-fitting clothing.
Women across the country took to the streets to protest against the death and Iran’s strict dress code. Many women were seen cutting their hair and chanting for freedom. Some women removed their headscarves while others burned them.
Violent clashes between civilians and police are occurring in different cities in Iran, including Tehran, Shiraz, and Saqez.
Irani authorities have imposed a national crackdown to stop the protests.
