Iranian Student Detained for Dress Code Protest
Incident at Tehran’s Islamic Azad University
A female student was detained by Iranian authorities after protesting against the country’s strict dress code outside Tehran’s Islamic Azad University. The student stripped down to her innerwear, reportedly facing harassment from the Basij, a paramilitary group, who allegedly tore her clothes and headscarf.
Details of the Protest
Videos shared on social media show the woman sitting in her innerwear, gesturing to other students. In another video, she is seen walking down a street until men forcibly put her into a car. Eyewitnesses claimed she undressed after being warned by security personnel about her attire.
International Response
Mai Sato, UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, stated she would monitor the situation closely. Amnesty International called for the student’s immediate release and demanded independent investigations into allegations of abuse during her arrest.
Background
In Iran, wearing a hijab in public is mandatory for women. Protests erupted in 2022 after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody for not properly wearing her headscarf, leading to a violent crackdown.
University’s Statement
The university’s spokesperson noted the student’s mental distress and emphasized her family background to counter online speculation.
Doubts Revealed
Iranian Student -: An Iranian student is someone who is studying in Iran, a country in the Middle East. In this case, the student is protesting against rules in her country.
Tehran -: Tehran is the capital city of Iran. It’s a big city where many important events and decisions happen.
Islamic Azad University -: Islamic Azad University is a large university in Iran where many students go to study. It has many campuses across the country.
Dress Code -: A dress code is a set of rules about what people can wear. In Iran, there are strict rules about how women should dress, especially about wearing a hijab, which is a headscarf.
Basij group -: The Basij group is a volunteer militia in Iran. They often help enforce the country’s laws and can be involved in controlling protests.
UN’s Mai Sato -: Mai Sato is a person from the United Nations, an international organization that works to maintain peace and security. She is keeping an eye on the situation to ensure fair treatment.
Amnesty International -: Amnesty International is a global organization that works to protect human rights. They are asking for the student’s release and want to investigate if she was treated badly.
Mahsa Amini -: Mahsa Amini was a young woman in Iran whose death in 2022 sparked protests. She died after being arrested for not wearing her hijab properly, which led to many people protesting against the dress code.