Mobilizations despite repression in Iran: “Islamic Republic, we don’t want you”

“Islamic Republic, we don’t want you,” shout the protesters in Iran. “This is no longer a simple protest, but the start of a revolution!” For weeks now, mostly women have flooded the streets across Iran – female intellectuals, students, mothers and schoolgirls have taken off their headscarves. The Iranian leadership has gone on a violent counterattack: More than 130 people have lost their lives according to figures from Amnesty International, while observers of the events estimate an even higher number of victims.

However, the protests have not stopped. Last weekend the violence peaked. The occasion was the death of the young Iranian woman, of Kurdish origin, Mahsa Amini, during her detention by the morality police in September. And while the protests were initially directed against strict dress codes, which have been imposed by the Iranian regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, now the entire system has been called into question.

Despair and disappointment for the new generation

People are suffering from the economic crisis and inflation – despair and frustration are spreading, especially among the young. Shirin Ebadi, the exiled Iranian activist who in 2003 received the Nobel Peace Prize, believes that the movement has spread to all generations and ages. “When they are all dissatisfied, from the granddaughter to the grandmother, and this not only in one city, but in a hundred, then one must realize that this is the beginning of a revolution.” However, it is the young women who are at the forefront: “It is indeed a women’s movement, and we (the men) support them,” explains one young student.

Could the protests actually prove dangerous for the Iranian leadership? According to Cornelius Andebar, this will not be so easy because of the massive repression by the leadership. In addition, the leadership already has a lot of experience in suppressing insurgencies, but also in matters of internet control. The government had already restricted access to the internet as soon as the protests began. According to Andebar, the collapse of the religious system in the country would not automatically mean Freedom and Democracy, while there would also be the possibility of the military taking over.

Also, as a political scientist from Tehran points out, there is no opposition accepted by the people, neither inside the country, nor abroad. But, according to him, the protests are not going to stop and the system will be forced in this case to do something. This might have included a compromise in the nuclear dispute to improve the dire economic situation. He also points out that a “substantial change of course” on the part of the political elite would also be a condition.

Sanctions from the US and the EU

In response to the protests, the US has already increased sanctions against senior government and security officials in the country. In addition, according to the German Foreign Minister, Analena Berbock, other sanctions from the EU are to follow. Of course, the options available to the West to react are limited, according to Antwerp, as in matters, the West currently has limited action options. The nuclear deal is deadlocked, with neither Iran nor the US appearing willing to make concessions. On the other hand, maintaining contact with the Iranian population and supporting civil society in the country remains extremely important.

DW – Miriam Schmidt/ Chrysa Vachcevanou

Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.