Demonstrations of support for the Iranian people are increasing around the world
Protest in support of Iranian women after the death of Mahsa Amini, London, September 24, 2022 Reuters - CLODAGH KILCOYNE
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Since the September 16 death of Masha Amini after her September 16 arrest, Iranian protesters have been taking to the streets shouting their anger.
Demonstrations of support have multiplied this weekend in the world, from the Americas to Europe via Iraq, neighbor of Iran.
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In Montreal, a large rally of several thousand Canadians of Iranian origin took place on the evening of Saturday, September 24 in support
of their country's popular revolt
.
Between fear and hope, the protesters were there to show their support for the people of Iran, as many of them have friends and family there.
This is the case of Amir Naim, 52 years old.
The real estate agent, who arrived in Canada about thirty years ago, has no news of his relatives.
“
We tried to communicate with our friends and our family in the country, unfortunately, with the closure of the Internet, it became almost impossible
”, he testifies to our correspondent in Montreal,
Léopold Picot
.
Amir considers that the Iranian power is making a mistake by preventing its citizens from accessing information.
“
In my opinion, this will only widen the gap between people and Iranian power.
The government must listen to the legitimate demands of the protesters.
Transparency, a precise agenda on the concrete responses to be provided, is essential
, ”he explains.
“
Woman, life, freedom
!
»
In the crowd, slogans were chanted, such as “Woman, life, freedom!
While it may seem futile to gather in Montreal, thousands of miles away from bloody protests in a country cut off from the internet, Amir is convinced of the importance of coming together and showing strong support for the Iranian people.
“
People need to be proactive and join these rallies.
I am very happy to see everyone bringing their own signs, their own slogans and joining the demonstration, putting aside our differences.
We must be united, speak with one voice, and be very clear about the message we are sending to the Iranian people, against any source of brutality and injustice.
»
► To read also:
Iran: behind the death of Mahsa Amini, the uprising of a people
For him, the main measure to be implemented is to dissolve the morality police which is rampant in Iran: “
The morality police have no place in society.
She has absolutely no need to impose her vision of religion on all of society.
»
A rally also took place on September 21 in front of the premises of the public media Radio-Canada.
The Canadian demonstrators demanded more intense coverage of what is happening in Iran.
Many hope to push the Canadian government to list the Iranian regime as a terrorist entity, which would block the assets of Iranian officials.
Tonight at #montreal: thousands protested in solidarity with Iranian #women to condemn the death of #MahsaAmini an oppression of women in Iran pic.twitter.com/vPqbxM8Duu
— Shakib Nasrullah (@ShakibNasr) September 24, 2022
Far from going so far, the House of Commons adopted in Ottawa on September 21 a motion offering its condolences to the family of Masha Amini and reaffirming its solidarity with the women of Iran.
A symbolic measure for the demonstrators.
More rallies are planned next week in support of Iran, and Amir has already planned to be there.
► Also to listen: Mahsa Amini, symbol of the oppression of women in Iran
In Iraqi Kurdistan, a region bordering Iran, the death of Masha Amini has also stirred up a wind of protest.
In Erbil, capital of this region at the crossroads of exchanges between Kurdistan of Iraq and Kurdistan of Iran, a few hundred demonstrators gathered on Saturday, carrying portraits of the young Iranian and where one could hear songs hostile to the Iranian regime.
Demonstrations of support were also organized in front of the White House in Washington or in Santiago de Chile.
European capitals also responded, from London to Stockholm, via London or Athens.
Everywhere the same scenes, calls for freedom and women who cut their hair in homage to Mahsa Amini.
Tear gas in Paris
In France, a second consecutive demonstration in two days took place in Paris.
Leaving from the Place du Trocadéro, the Parisian procession headed for the Iranian Embassy to the sound of the same slogans as in Iran, or even “France, silence is enough”.
Police used tear gas on Sunday to prevent thousands of protesters from reaching the Islamic Republic embassy.
The Paris police headquarters reported "4,000 people" gathered at Place d'Iéna, near the headquarters of the embassy.
Demonstration in Paris in support of Iranian
women 06 IRAN / FRA _Enrobé Demonstration in Paris in support of Iranian women
The participants criticized French President Emmanuel Macron in particular for shaking hands with his Iranian counterpart Ebrahim Raïssi during their meeting on September 20 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focusing in particular on a relaunch of the international agreement on Tehran's nuclear program.
For its part, the
Iranian government threatened
on Sunday to show "
no leniency
" vis-à-vis the demonstrators after ten days of protests which claimed the lives of 41 people, according to an official report.
But the toll could be heavier, with the Oslo-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) reporting at least 57 protesters killed.
Tehran accuses the United States
of "interfering in Iranian affairs (...) and supporting the rioters in a provocative manner. "
»
(
With
AFP)
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