Brussels, (Brussels Morning)- About 30 demonstrators gathered in front of the Iranian embassy on Friday afternoon in memory of Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman who died two weeks ago in a police station in Tehran. They are renouncing Iranian policy. “These protests are different. We are moving towards a revolution.”
Despite heavy repression by the regime, protests in Iran continue. Since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the vice squad and died in a police station, daily protests have been reported in more than 150 Iranian cities, says BRUZZ.
A demonstration was also held in Brussels on Friday afternoon in front of the Iranian embassy on Franklin Rooseveltlaan. Thirty demonstrators, including eight women, are denouncing Iran’s policies. “Today marks the 15th day of nationwide protests in Iran,” said Mehdi Nobari, president of Iran’s Culture, Arts and Human Rights Association and co-initiator of the rally. “The death toll is increasing, as are the arrests. Solidarity is needed today, because tomorrow it will be too late.”
According to Nobari, the women want international solidarity to be shown. “They can’t do it alone. They want support. We ask people who want to help them to show their solidarity here. We’ll be here again on Monday.”
Not enough solidarity
78-year-old Razieh Parandaque is also among the demonstrators. “I moved to Brussels in 1988 after my 25-year-old son was executed by the regime. That’s why I’m here today: to support the people of Iran. We must stand with the women of Iran, because they deserve their freedom. “
According to Parandaque, the protests are different than before. “In the past, a demonstration might last one or two days, now they have been going on for several weeks. As a mom, I ask that everyone, including the European Union, express its support for the demonstrators.”
Also according to Nobari, the protests feel different. “They are more targeted and violent than they used to be. The people want the leaders of Iran away. We are moving towards a revolution and people will defend themselves this time.”
For Joraghi Robabeh (60), an Iranian teacher who moved to Belgium as a political refugee in 2001, there is not yet sufficient solidarity from abroad. “Much more is needed. Today men also support the demand for more freedom for women. Before, the government divided the people, but now they are united. We want that support to be expressed more abroad as well.”
Cut hair
In recent days, demonstrations have taken place all over the world in solidarity with demonstrators in Iran. People in Brussels also expressed their displeasure. Last Friday , the demonstrators showed solidarity with all people fighting and demonstrating for their freedoms in Iran, and last Saturday, too, 200 people demonstrated against the Iranian government’s crackdown.
A new protest action will take place at Troon metro station on Saturday at 1 p.m. Among others, for the women of Iran – but also for the victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo – participants will cut their hair in solidarity. A new protest at the Iranian embassy will follow on Monday.
