Nationwide protests in Iran, sparked by the September death of Iranian Kurdish woman Jîna Mahsa Amini, continue into their fourth month. International reactions against the Islamic Republic are growing as Iranian security forces use increasing violence to suppress protests, especially in Kurdish-populated cities.
Crowded global protests took place in Europe, America and Australia throughout the week after Iran executed two protesters in one week.
On Wednesday, the UN Women’s Rights Commission expelled the country for violations of women’s rights by the Islamic Republic of Iran. Wide-ranging celebrations were held in Iran upon the expulsion.
On Tuesday, Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate was illuminated with the Kurdish slogan “Jîn Jîyan Azadi” in a show of solidarity with protesters in Iran.
The European Union also decided on Monday to impose further sanctions on Iran for violating human rights during suppression of the nationwide uprisings.
On 7 December, Time magazine declared Iranian women as the heroes of 2022.
Iran has so far hanged two protesters and sentenced at least 11 protesters to death. Human Rights Watch has described the executions as “a gross miscarriage of justice and a dangerous escalation”, warning that death sentences may increase for activists, including children.
The Islamic Republic of Iran announced the first execution in relation with the protests on 8 December.
After authorities announced that 23-year-old Mohsen Shekari was hanged on Thursday 8 December, people took to the streets to protest the execution. Iranians took to social media, saying that Shekari was tried hastily and unfairly and was killed to intimidate protesters.
The demonstrations after Shekari’s execution were dominated by the slogan “a thousand people will rise for every person killed”.
A second protester was hanged, this time publicly, on Monday, just 23 days after his arrest for participating in the nationwide protests.
Meanwhile, the Iranian police chief continues to threaten the public with more violence, despite the Iranian regime killing nearly 500 protesters so far.
