A female student at Tehran's Islamic Azad University made headlines recently when she stripped down to her underwear in protest against the country's strict Islamic dress code. The incident, captured in videos circulating on social media, shows the woman sitting outside the university in her underwear with her hair uncovered, gesturing towards her fellow students.
According to reports, the woman had been harassed by members of the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary group, before her protest. Eyewitnesses claimed that security personnel warned her about flouting the dress code, leading to her decision to remove her clothes.
Following the incident, the woman was violently arrested and taken into custody. Amnesty International has called for her immediate release and an investigation into allegations of mistreatment during her arrest.
Iran enforces a strict dress code for women, requiring them to wear a hijab in public. Violations of the dress code can result in harsh punishment, as seen in previous protests against the regime's policies.
The incident at Azad University comes in the wake of widespread protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in custody after being arrested for not wearing her headscarf properly. The violent crackdown on protesters resulted in numerous casualties.
UN Special Rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, has expressed concern over the incident and pledged to monitor the authorities' response closely. The university's public relations director cited the student's mental health issues as a factor in the protest.
As calls for accountability and justice grow, human rights organizations continue to advocate for the rights of individuals in Iran. The case of the Azad University student highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression and personal choice in the country.
