Iran has been experiencing unprecedented levels of protests and civil unrest since the death of Mahsa Amini on September 16. Kurdia, 22, was arrested by the country’s “morality police” for allegedly wearing an “inappropriate” form of hijab during a visit to Tehran and was allegedly severely beaten while in custody. The beatings are believed to have led to her death from a fatal head injury, but Iranian authorities have denied the charge. In the wake of Amini’s death, there have been large-scale nationwide protests, the likes of which Iran has not seen in decades. Female protesters began burning their hijabs and cutting their hair in public, defying the rules imposed by Iran’s Islamic government, led by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian lawmakers have, in recent days, called for severe punishments for protesters who have been arrested. On Monday, CNN reported that a letter signed by 227 members of Iran’s parliament urged harsh punishment for the protesters that “would serve as a good lesson in the shortest possible time.” Protesters in Tehran, Iran, in September 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini. Iran’s parliament voted strongly in favor of imposing the death penalty on those accused of the protests. -/AFP via Getty Images “Now, the public, even the protesters who do not support the riots, demand that the judiciary and security institutions deal with the few people who caused the unrest in a firm, deterrent and legal way,” said Iranian government spokesman Masoud Setayesi. . according to Reuters. On Tuesday, parliament did just that, voting to impose the death penalty on all protesters in custody as a “harsh lesson” for all rebels. The majority in favor of the sentence was significant, 227 out of 290 total members, equal to the number of MPs who signed the letter. Iran’s parliament voted by a majority (227 out of 290) to execute all the protesters. The authorities stress that the insurgents must be taught the “hardest lesson”. — TRUHA⚡️English (@TpyxaNews) November 8, 2022 It is not clear when the executions will take place, but the project will be potentially significant. As of Thursday, CNN reported, about 14,000 people had been arrested in connection with the recent protests. On Tuesday, Carnegie Endowment Fellow Karim Sadjadpour said the number was closer to 15,000. In the past 8 weeks the Iranian regime has killed more than 300 protesters, imprisoned nearly 15,000 and threatened to execute hundreds more, yet the women of Iran persist. Today female students removed their forced jumpers and shouted “I am a free woman”. pic.twitter.com/OjQZ6zHfG5 — Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) November 8, 2022 “In the last 8 weeks the Iranian regime has killed more than 300 protesters, jailed nearly 15,000 and threatened to execute hundreds more, yet the women of Iran persist,” Sandapour wrote in a tweet. “Today female students removed their forced jumpers and shouted ‘I am a free woman.’ Several prominent figures in Iran are demanding a response from foreign governments. “Outrageous! After killing 100 protesters in the streets and a violent crackdown, 227 MPs in Iran called protesters “Mohareb” and asked the judiciary to issue “retaliatory” sentences [execution]Journalist Omid Memarian tweeted on Sunday. “People have to respond. Dangerous!” 227 members of Iran’s 290-seat parliament have called on the judiciary to issue death sentences for people arrested during the ongoing uprising. They want to execute innocent protestors who shouted Woman Life Freedom. People must stop this terrorist act. #MahsaAmini pic.twitter.com/NoaCcG1n6h — Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) November 6, 2022 In response to the parliament’s vote, activist and journalist Masih Alinejad tweeted: “227 members of Iran’s 290-seat Parliament have called on the judiciary to issue death sentences for people arrested during the ongoing uprising. They want to execute innocents.” protesters chanting Woman Life Freedom. The world must stop this act of terrorism.” Newsweek has reached out to the Iranian government for comment.
