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Iran’s clerical rulers have begun a crackdown on dissent ahead of the anniversary of the death of a young woman in the custody of the morality police, fearing a renewal of the nationwide protests that have rocked the Islamic Republic for months.
Journalists, lawyers, activists, human rights defenders, and students have been arrested, summoned, or faced other measures in what one activist described as “instilling fear and intimidation.”
In February, Iran’s judiciary announced a broad amnesty, which included releases, pardons, or reduced sentences for those arrested, charged, or detained during previous unrest.
Iranian judiciary officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the current situation.
However, senior officials defended the new campaign as necessary to maintain stability. But some politicians and insiders said the escalating repression could deepen the crisis between the religious leadership and society as a whole at a time of growing public discontent over economic problems.
On Sunday, the police announced that the morality police had intensified their crackdown on women who break the compulsory dress code. In a show of civil disobedience, uncovered women have appeared more frequently in public since the death of 22-year-old Mohseh Amini. On September 16 of last year.
Amini fell into a coma and died three days later after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code.
The incident unleashed years of pent-up anger over issues from tighter social and political controls to economic hardship, causing the religious establishment’s worst legitimacy crisis in decades.
Security forces crushed months of unrest during which protesters from all walks of life called for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, and women angrily removed and burned mandatory veils.
A former high-ranking Iranian official said that the authorities should not ignore the facts on the ground this time.
“People are still angry about Amini’s death and they are frustrated because of their daily struggle to bring food to their tables,” said the former official, who requested anonymity.
“These wrong decisions may have painful consequences for the establishment. People cannot bear any more pressure. If it continues, we will see street protests again.”
Social media was filled with angry comments from Iranians criticizing the return of the morality police, which have largely disappeared from the streets since Amini died in their custody.
Human rights advocates said the state had stepped up its crackdown “to get people off the streets” ahead of the anniversary of Amini’s death.
“The Islamic Republic feels threatened. By redeploying the morality police, the regime is fueling the people’s revolution,” said Atena Daemi, a prominent human rights activist in Iran.
“People are very angry because of the repression, the violations of rights and the exacerbation of economic problems. All of this will lead to a revival of street protests.”
Iranian media reported that Iran’s former president, pro-reform cleric Mohammad Khatami, denounced such measures as “self-destructive” that would “further inflame society than before”.
Iran has been hit with the double hammer blows of continued US sanctions over its nuclear program and mismanagement that provides little comfort to middle- and low-income Iranians who bear many of the burdens of economic problems, from over 50% inflation to soaring economic problems. Prices for utilities, food and accommodation.
The mood bodes ill for parliamentary elections scheduled for next February, when Iran’s rulers will hope for a high voter turnout to show their legitimacy even if the outcome changes no major policy.
Journalists, lawyers, activists, human rights defenders, and students have been arrested, summoned, or faced other measures in what one activist described as “instilling fear and intimidation.”
In February, Iran’s judiciary announced a broad amnesty, which included releases, pardons, or reduced sentences for those arrested, charged, or detained during previous unrest.
Iranian judiciary officials could not immediately be reached for comment on the current situation.
However, senior officials defended the new campaign as necessary to maintain stability. But some politicians and insiders said the escalating repression could deepen the crisis between the religious leadership and society as a whole at a time of growing public discontent over economic problems.
On Sunday, the police announced that the morality police had intensified their crackdown on women who break the compulsory dress code. In a show of civil disobedience, uncovered women have appeared more frequently in public since the death of 22-year-old Mohseh Amini. On September 16 of last year.
Amini fell into a coma and died three days later after being arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the Islamic dress code.
The incident unleashed years of pent-up anger over issues from tighter social and political controls to economic hardship, causing the religious establishment’s worst legitimacy crisis in decades.
Security forces crushed months of unrest during which protesters from all walks of life called for the downfall of the Islamic Republic, and women angrily removed and burned mandatory veils.
A former high-ranking Iranian official said that the authorities should not ignore the facts on the ground this time.
“People are still angry about Amini’s death and they are frustrated because of their daily struggle to bring food to their tables,” said the former official, who requested anonymity.
“These wrong decisions may have painful consequences for the establishment. People cannot bear any more pressure. If it continues, we will see street protests again.”
Social media was filled with angry comments from Iranians criticizing the return of the morality police, which have largely disappeared from the streets since Amini died in their custody.
Human rights advocates said the state had stepped up its crackdown “to get people off the streets” ahead of the anniversary of Amini’s death.
“The Islamic Republic feels threatened. By redeploying the morality police, the regime is fueling the people’s revolution,” said Atena Daemi, a prominent human rights activist in Iran.
“People are very angry because of the repression, the violations of rights and the exacerbation of economic problems. All of this will lead to a revival of street protests.”
Iranian media reported that Iran’s former president, pro-reform cleric Mohammad Khatami, denounced such measures as “self-destructive” that would “further inflame society than before”.
Iran has been hit with the double hammer blows of continued US sanctions over its nuclear program and mismanagement that provides little comfort to middle- and low-income Iranians who bear many of the burdens of economic problems, from over 50% inflation to soaring economic problems. Prices for utilities, food and accommodation.
The mood bodes ill for parliamentary elections scheduled for next February, when Iran’s rulers will hope for a high voter turnout to show their legitimacy even if the outcome changes no major policy.
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