The tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini sparked outrage and protests in Iran this past weekend. Amini, who was arrested last week in Tehran on the grounds that she did not comply with the obligation to wear a veil, collapsed while at the police station, went into a coma, and was taken to a hospital, where she died on Friday, September 16. In the protests that broke out during her funeral, chants were heard condemning Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. At least 4 people were injured in violent clashes with the security forces, during which women also removed their veils in protest against the mandatory Islamic dress code.
The raging reactions to Amini's death rekindled the debate surrounding the obligatory veil. In recent months, criticism has risen in Iran over the violent behavior of the "morality police,” who were documented on various occasions arresting women and forcing them into police cars. The public criticism, which also includes demands to dismantle the “morality police,” is sounded against the backdrop of the public’s distancing from religion, particularly among the younger generation. This trend is clearly evident in non-observance of the Islamic dress code, especially in relation to the obligation of women to wear the veil.
The raging reactions also reflect the loss of public trust toward state institutions. The Iranian authorities, led by President Raisi, announced the opening of an investigation into the young woman's death. The Tehran police even rushed to release CCTV footage, in which Amini is allegedly seen collapsing while talking to a man at the police station. The footage was intended to confirm the police claims that no violence was used during her arrest and that her death was caused by a heart attack or stroke. However, the video failed to convince the public of the credibility of the official version and did not ease the public emotions.
The worsening despair, the intensity of frustration, and the loss of public trust continue to fuel the protest against the regime, but at this stage do not pose a significant challenge to its stability. The gap between the regime's institutions and the younger generation is deepening. All this continues while there are reports about the deteriorating health of the Supreme Leader and a renewed preoccupation with the question of who will succeed him after his death.
ByGSpeech
The tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini sparked outrage and protests in Iran this past weekend. Amini, who was arrested last week in Tehran on the grounds that she did not comply with the obligation to wear a veil, collapsed while at the police station, went into a coma, and was taken to a hospital, where she died on Friday, September 16. In the protests that broke out during her funeral, chants were heard condemning Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. At least 4 people were injured in violent clashes with the security forces, during which women also removed their veils in protest against the mandatory Islamic dress code.
The raging reactions to Amini's death rekindled the debate surrounding the obligatory veil. In recent months, criticism has risen in Iran over the violent behavior of the "morality police,” who were documented on various occasions arresting women and forcing them into police cars. The public criticism, which also includes demands to dismantle the “morality police,” is sounded against the backdrop of the public’s distancing from religion, particularly among the younger generation. This trend is clearly evident in non-observance of the Islamic dress code, especially in relation to the obligation of women to wear the veil.
The raging reactions also reflect the loss of public trust toward state institutions. The Iranian authorities, led by President Raisi, announced the opening of an investigation into the young woman's death. The Tehran police even rushed to release CCTV footage, in which Amini is allegedly seen collapsing while talking to a man at the police station. The footage was intended to confirm the police claims that no violence was used during her arrest and that her death was caused by a heart attack or stroke. However, the video failed to convince the public of the credibility of the official version and did not ease the public emotions.
The worsening despair, the intensity of frustration, and the loss of public trust continue to fuel the protest against the regime, but at this stage do not pose a significant challenge to its stability. The gap between the regime's institutions and the younger generation is deepening. All this continues while there are reports about the deteriorating health of the Supreme Leader and a renewed preoccupation with the question of who will succeed him after his death.