Tehran: Amid snap checkpoints, internet disruptions, and university purges, Iran's government is making efforts to both downplay the upcoming anniversary of nationwide protests against the country’s mandatory headscarf law and suppress any potential for further unrest.
September 16 marks a year since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Some women are choosing to go without the headscarf, or hijab, despite an increasing crackdown by authorities.
Graffiti, likely anti-government, is swiftly covered in black by Tehran’s municipal workers. Professors are fired for backing demonstrators amid efforts to ease international tensions with Iran remaining under scrutiny following years of confrontation.
“The weaponization of public morals' to deny women and girls their freedom of expression is deeply disempowering and will entrench and expand gender discrimination and marginalization,” independent United Nations experts warned earlier this month.
The demonstrations over Amini's death that erupted after her arrest a year ago by the country's morality police, allegedly over the hijab, represented one of the largest challenges to Iran's government since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
A security force crackdown that followed saw over 500 people killed and more than 22,000 people detained.
Iran's government, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have blamed the West for fomenting the unrest, without offering evidence to support the allegation.
However, the protests found fuel in the widespread economic pain that Iran's 80 million people have faced since the collapse of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers after then-President Donald Trump in 2018 unilaterally pulled America from the accord.
Western sanctions have severely impacted Iran's economy, causing the rial to plummet and devastating people's savings.
Food and essential prices soared due to global pressures from the pandemic and Russia's war on Ukraine. Official unemployment stands at 8%, but one in five young Iranians is jobless.
Last year's protests saw many young demonstrators, leading authorities to focus on universities. In 1999, student-led protests swept Tehran, resulting in deaths and detentions.
University campuses, traditionally a haven for protests, have also faced crackdowns. Hundreds of students faced disciplinary actions, and 110 professors were fired or suspended, primarily in Tehran, Tehran Azad University, Tehran University and Tehran Medical University.
Professors targeted included Ali Sharifi Zarchi, who supported student protests, and former Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Alaei. President Rouhani criticized the firings, while Tehran University's head defended them as addressing "ethics problems."
Critics believe the government aims to quell protests by appointing loyalists. Despite government efforts to silence dissent, students vow to continue their objections.
As the anniversary approaches, the government remains publicly quiet. Activists report increased interrogations and detentions, and internet access disruptions. Protests abroad are also planned.
With inputs from PTI