In a shocking incident, Iran’s morality police have been accused of brutally beating a young girl for not wearing a hijab. The incident has sparked outrage among activists and human rights groups, who are calling for an end to the oppressive dress code enforced by the Iranian authorities. The victim, Armita Geravand, a 16-year-old girl, collapsed after boarding a train at a Tehran metro station on Sunday. CCTV footage released by the officials shows her being pulled unconscious from the train, raising questions about the excessive force used by the morality police.
Human rights group Hengaw alleged that Armita was subjected to a severe physical assault by the morality police officers. They reported that she sustained severe injuries and is currently being treated at Tehran’s Fajr hospital under tight security. The phones of all members of her family have also been confiscated, raising concerns about their safety and the restriction of information regarding the incident.
The incident has also highlighted the oppressive treatment of Iran’s Kurdish ethnic minority. Armita, originally from the predominantly Kurdish province of Kermanshah, was living in Tehran at the time of the incident. Hengaw reported that she was specifically targeted for non-compliance with the compulsory hijab, a dress code imposed on all women in Iran. This incident further exposes the discriminatory practices faced by minority groups in the country.
Amsterdam-based Radio Zamaneh cited an unnamed source stating that Armita was pushed by hijab enforcers after she boarded the train without a headscarf, causing her to hit her head on an iron pole. This information, along with the release of an alleged photo of Armita lying unconscious in the hospital, has raised concerns about the authenticity of the authorities’ version of events.
The Iranian authorities have attempted to downplay the incident, with the managing director of the Tehran metro denying any conflict between Armita and passengers or metro executives. However, the lack of transparency regarding the release of CCTV footage and the absence of video from the inside of the train and the entrance to the station have led to suspicions of a cover-up.
This incident has drawn parallels to the case of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in custody in September 2022 after being detained by morality police for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. Like Armita, Mahsa’s death sparked widespread protests and condemnation of the Iranian government. The continued oppression faced by women and girls in Iran has led to a defiance of the dress code, with many choosing to stop covering their hair in public.
The international community must condemn the actions of Iran’s morality police and demand justice for Armita. This incident highlights the urgent need for reform of the oppressive dress code and the protection of the rights and safety of women and minorities in Iran. It is crucial to amplify the voices of activists and human rights organizations advocating for change in Iran, and to hold the Iranian government accountable for their actions.
