Following the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the “morality police” in Tehran, Iran has been embroiled in protests and demonstrations in most major cities of the Islamic Republic.
Five Iranians are charged with offences that carry the death penalty, related to these protests. Charges such as “corruption on earth”, “inciting people to commit crimes against the country’s security” and the crime of “Moharebeh” (war against God), all of which carry the death penalty.
More than 20 journalists have been arrested and denied access to lawyers, with many more “summoned” to appear for interrogation, while hundreds of protesters have been brutally killed by security forces.
Thousands of people including women have been arrested. Young girls were beaten by police and many schools closed to prevent further demonstrations.
Universities targeted and students beaten mercilessly.
While mainly women have been at the vanguard of the unrest, demanding freedom from the shackles of the Ayatollah’s suppressive rule, the South African foreign minister and the ANC have been deadly silent to the plight of Iranian women.
The UN Human Rights “arbiter” Navi Pillay is silent on the tragedy unfolding in that country.
Where is President Ramaphosa with his commitment to combat gender-based violence, too busy visiting Saudi Arabia whose women are among the most oppressed and discriminated on earth?
* Allan Wolman, Tel Aviv, Israel.
** The views expressed here are not necessarily those of Independent Media.
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