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Human rights advocates are urging Iranian authorities to release a woman detained after she removed her clothes in a protest against mandatory hijab laws at Tehran’s Science and Research Branch of Islamic Azad University. Viral footage shows the woman sitting in her underwear on the university steps before walking along the pavement, and later, removing her remaining clothes. Shortly afterwards, plainclothes agents apprehended her.
Azad University claimed the woman has a “mental disorder” and was transferred to a psychiatric facility. However, many Iranians on social media cast doubt on the university’s statement, instead identifying her actions as part of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which gained momentum following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being detained for allegedly violating hijab rules. Amini’s death spurred nationwide protests that reportedly left over 500 people dead.
The Amirkabir Newsletter, an Iranian student movement media outlet, reported that the woman had clashed with university security over her lack of a headscarf, which led to her undressing in the ensuing struggle.
Witnesses reported that the woman entered a classroom, filmed students, and declared, “I’ve come to save you,” before departing under protest from the lecturer. She reportedly suffered a head injury during her detention.
A video later emerged featuring a man claiming to be the woman’s ex-husband, who pleaded for the video not to be shared out of respect for their children.
Azam Jangravi, a Canadian-based activist who previously fled Iran after protesting hijab laws, expressed concern over the tactic of labelling women mentally ill to discredit protests. “This is how the Islamic Republic tries to discredit women,” she said.
Amnesty International also condemned the arrest, urging Iranian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release the university student who was violently arrested.” Amnesty further demanded an investigation into reported beatings and sexual violence during her detention.
Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate currently imprisoned in Iran, issued a statement, remarking, “Women pay the price for defiance, but we do not bow down to force.”
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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