Tehran: A young woman reportedly stripped down to her underwear at an Iranian university on Saturday in protest against the country’s strict Islamic dress code, according to social media videos and various news reports. The incident, initially shared by the Iranian student outlet Amir Kabir Newsletter, shows security personnel detaining the woman at Islamic Azad University. The video has since been circulated by Persian-language media sources, including the Hengaw rights group, IranWire and Amnesty International.
In a statement on X, university spokesperson Amir Mahjob said that after she was taken to a police station, it was found that she was under “severe mental pressure” and had a “mental disorder.” Details about her current condition are not fully known, though Hamshahri daily cited an “informed source” suggesting she might be transferred to a mental health facility for further assessment.
In Iran, a student harassed by her university’s morality police over her “improper” hijab didn’t back down. She turned her body into a protest, stripping to her underwear and marching through campus—defying a regime that constantly controls women’s bodies. Her act is a powerful… pic.twitter.com/76ekxSK7bI
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) November 2, 2024
Amnesty International urges release
The Amir Kabir Newsletter reported allegations that she was physically assaulted during her arrest. In response, Amnesty International called for her immediate release, saying, “Iran’s authorities must immediately and unconditionally release the university student… Pending her release, authorities must protect her from torture and ensure access to her family and lawyer.” The rights organisation has previously documented allegations of abuse against women in Iranian prisons, emphasizing the need for protective measures in this case.
2022 Mahsa Amini protests
In 2022, widespread protests erupted across Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who had been detained for allegedly failing to comply with Iran’s hijab regulations. During these demonstrations, women throughout the country defied the authorities by removing their headscarves, with some even setting them ablaze as a symbol of resistance. The protests were met with a severe crackdown, reportedly resulting in the deaths of 551 protesters and the arrests of thousands.