Iran’s Ongoing Repression: Silencing Dissent in Anticipation of Protest Anniversary

Iran‘s Crackdown on Dissent and the Implications for Protest Anniversary Year

September 15, 2023

Iranian authorities have been intensifying their repression of civil society ahead of the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Jina Amini, a tragedy that sparked nationwide protests. Human Rights Watch has reported that the Iranian government has increased its crackdown on peaceful dissent, targeting activists, artists, dissidents, lawyers, academics, students, and family members of those killed during the 2022 protests. This wave of repression includes efforts to impose the compulsory hijab on women, leading to legal summonses, new legislation, and pressure on private businesses to enforce hijab rules.

The Symbolic Importance of Mahsa Jina Amini’s Death

Mahsa Jina Amini’s death in custody has become a powerful symbol of the Iranian government’s systematic oppression of women, injustice, and impunity. Iranian authorities are now attempting to prevent public commemoration of her death by imposing a chokehold on dissent. However, they cannot erase the mounting frustration, calls for fundamental change, and resistance in Iranian society despite their efforts.

Targeting and Repression of Activists and Family Members

The authorities have specifically targeted outspoken family members of those killed during the protests, leading to intensified pressure on these families in recent months. Human rights groups are currently investigating the killing of over 500 people, including 69 children, during the protests. The government has interrogated, arrested, prosecuted, and sentenced family members of at least 36 victims in the past month alone.

Lawyers supporting protesters and their families have also faced persecution. Saleh Nikbakht, Amini’s family lawyer, was charged with “propaganda against the state” in Tehran’s Islamic Revolutionary Court, solely for speaking out on Amini’s case. Dozens of lawyers who signed a statement offering legal assistance to Amini’s family were also summoned to the prosecutor’s office.

Repression on College Campuses and Targeting of Artists

The crackdown has not spared college campuses, with cases reported of at least 27 university instructors critical of government policies facing dismissal, suspension, or contract non-renewal since late July. Additionally, hundreds of students have faced disciplinary measures for their activism related to the protests.

Artists who supported the protest movement have also faced reprisals, arrests, and prosecution. For example, the authorities arrested singer and composer Mehdi Yarahi after he released a song supporting the protests. Rapper Toumaj Salehi was sentenced to over six years in prison on charges of “corruption on earth,” while Kurdish rapper Saman Seyedi has faced physical and psychological torture during his detention.

Iran‘s Broad Amnesty and Ongoing Arrests

In February, Iranian authorities announced a general amnesty that resulted in the release of several detained individuals linked to the protests. However, human rights defenders with long prison sentences and protesters facing capital charges were excluded from this amnesty. Moreover, since April, the government has arrested, sentenced, or summoned to prison numerous human rights defenders, including labor rights activists, journalists, and women’s rights defenders.

Repression and Enforcement of Compulsory Hijab Laws

In addition to the brutal crackdown on peaceful dissent, Iranian authorities have taken coordinated steps to enforce compulsory hijab laws. Women, including celebrities, have been prosecuted for appearing in public without a hijab. The authorities have issued traffic citations for cars carrying passengers without hijabs and shut down businesses, such as cafes and private sector offices, for non-compliance with hijab laws.

The Parliamentary Judiciary Committee is currently reviewing a draft Hijab and Chastity Bill that proposes additional penalties, such as fines and dismissal from job and educational opportunities, for those appearing without a hijab. The legislation has moved forward without public debate, raising concerns about the erosion of personal freedoms and gender equality.

Implications and Recommendations

The Iranian government’s intensified crackdown on dissent and the enforcement of compulsory hijab laws raise serious concerns about human rights, freedom of expression, and gender equality in the country. As the one-year anniversary of Mahsa Jina Amini’s death approaches, it is crucial for the international community to maintain its support for the protest movement and focus on supporting activists, artists, academics, lawyers, students, and families affected by the ongoing repression.

Delegations of UN member states should take the opportunity of the annual UN General Assembly leaders’ week in New York to raise the plight of Iranian activists and put it at the center of their engagement with Iranian counterparts. All stakeholders must continue to put pressure on the Iranian government to respect human rights, release political prisoners, and ensure the fundamental freedoms and rights of all Iranians.

The situation in Iran serves as a reminder that achieving the rights and equality demanded by protesters is a long-term endeavor. The international community cannot remain silent but must stand in solidarity with those who continue to resist oppression and fight for a more just and inclusive society in Iran.

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