Mahsa Jina Amini
was a 22-year-old Iranian who died in police custody after being severely beaten for not wearing a proper hijab.

Iranian people have been suppressed for the last 43 years under a theocratic regime. On 16th Sep 22, 22-year-old Mahsa Jina Amini, died as the result of police brutality following an arrest for “Improper Hijab”. Mass protests and strikes have erupted all over Iran since. According to Human Rights organisations, more than 300 people, including 51 children, have been killed and more than 15,000 arrested so far. The majority of the detainees are in imminent danger of execution.

  1. Mahsa Jina AminiBecame a Symbol of the Iranian Protests
  2. Why are people protesting?

    Shortly after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Islamic regime imposed a mandatory hijab on women. Since then, many forms of law enforncement have been implemented to force women to wear hijab, the most recent one being the morality police which has been active since 2005. Mahsa Amini was a young girl from Saqqez, Iran who wanted to spend a few days in Tehran with her Family. While she was in Tehran, she was arrested by the morality police and after a few hours she was taken to the hospital due to severe traumatic brain injury. After two days in coma, she died at age 22. Mahsa's death resulted in large-scale protests across Iran, demanding justice for her, and fighting for women's basic human rights and freedom. The government of Iran is attempting to suppress the protests, shooting protesters, deploying tear gas and water cannons, and blocking access to the internet. So far, many people have been murdered, beaten, and have gotten arrested.

  3. What role women are playing?

    Videos have shown them defiantly setting their headscarves on fire and cutting their hair in public to chants of "Woman, life, freedom" and "Death to the dictator" - a reference to the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. While some women have publicly protested against the hijab before, cases have been isolated and dealt with severely. There has been nothing compared to the current scale. In an unprecedented show of support, schoolgirls have also been demonstrating in playgrounds and on the streets. Men and teenage boys have also participated in large numbers and backed the women's demands.

  4. How have authorities reacted?

    They have played down the protests and tried to suppress them with force. Ayatollah Khamenei has accused the United States and Israel, Iran's arch-enemies, of orchestrating "riots" - dismissed by critics as fabricated.

  5. The islamic government Killedmore than 400 people
    including 61 children, and arrested more than 13000 people. Among them are many journalists, activists, and students.
    6. How can I help?

    Be aware of the situation in Iran and share the news with your friends and family.
    You can also follow the news on social media and donate to the organizations that are helping the including amnesty international, human rights watch, and the international rescue committee.
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    By Iranians of Cork collective