Demonstrations protesting the deaths of women defying Islamic law in Iran have reached Syria, where hundreds of women mimicked the actions of those across Iran and elsewhere — burning their hijabs in public bonfires and cutting their hair.
In the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli, protesters held posters of Mahsa Amini, the young woman who died after being arrested and beaten by Iran’s morality police for not wearing a hijab properly. Iranian-American journalist and activist Masih Alinejad has claimed that Amini was killed for “showing a little bit of hair,” through her hijab.
One member of the women’s rights organisation, Kongra Star, told Reuters they were holding demonstrations to support the protests and uprisings in Iran.
“No to injustice, no to oppression … yes to women’s rights,” Arwa al-Saleh, who is a member of Kongra Star, based in Rojava (also known as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria), said.
At least 53 protesters have now been killed as the world shakes hands with the genocidal dictators of the islamic Republic.#Iran professors and students announced strikes this week,
"Death to the dictator!"#IranProtests #MahsaAmini #Mahsa_Amini #مهسا_امینی #IranRevolution pic.twitter.com/ekWvT7fKWx— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) September 26, 2022
Overnight, Kongra Star released a statement, saying it: “Salutes the struggle of the women and all the people who have been on the streets in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran every day for more than a week, rebelling against oppression and violence.”
“The actions of the women who cut off their hair, burn their headscarves, dance in public and climb onto cars and walls are revolutionary — are leading the way and giving courage and morale to all freedom-loving people in the East, in Iran, in Kurdistan and around the world,” the statement read.
“The women who are leading this rebellion are being targeted, arrested and killed – they are trying to silence women. Despite the pressure and attacks on the uprising population, they continue to demonstrate with determination and courage, shaking the foundations of the system.”
As Women’s Agenda reported on Monday, demonstrations continue to spread across the globe in countries including Greece, Spain, Turkey and the U.S.
Earlier this morning, reports emerged that a further 450 protesters have been arrested in Iran’s northern province of Mazandaran, with at least four children killed by state forces since protests began twelve days ago, according to Amnesty International.
Overnight, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he plans to levy sanctions on “dozens” of Iranian individuals and entities.
“To the women in Iran who are protesting and to those who are supporting them: We are with you,” Trudeau said.
“We join our voices — the voices of all Canadians — to the millions of people around the world demanding that the Iranian government listen to its people, end their repression of freedom and rights, and let women and all Iranian people live their lives and express themselves peacefully.”
As protests continue throughout Iran, the number of deaths at the hands of the country’s security forces continues to rise, with Norway-based group Iran Human Rights (IHR) announcing over the weekend at least 57 deaths. Due to ongoing internet blackouts however, confirmed fatalities are proving extremely difficult to establish.