While being beaten and harassed by police, the woman said she thought about the Women, Life, Freedom movement, which began in September 2022 when Jina Mahsa Amini, then 22, died after being taken into custody by the “morality police.” in Tehran for allegedly improperly wearing a hijab.
Amini’s death was followed by the biggest protests Iran had seen in decades, with thousands of people taking to the streets in support of women’s rights. Authorities used force to suppress the acts, and a UN fact-finding mission estimates that 551 protesters were killed.
“I remembered Jina Mahsa Amini and other women who sacrificed their lives during the women’s uprising for life and freedom, and I told myself that I had to be strong,” the woman said.
I shouted loudly that my dress code is my problem. As soon as he said that, the insults and violence began.she said.
The police officers called her a prostitute and told her that while living in Iran she “must respect the country’s laws derived from Islamic commandments.”
The woman said she was taken into custody by police, along with at least five other women who were also not wearing a headscarf. She was released after several hours, but was forced to sign a letter pledging to follow Islamic dress codes and could face legal action.
