Dec 30, 2022
On Thursday, December 29, at least six funerals for protesters were placed in Iran. Thousands of people gathered together to mourn their loved ones and support their families while chanting against the government. Guard forces violently attacked people with electrical shockers and rubber bullets to suppress the protests.
A new trend since the beginning of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising in Iran is writing the mother’s name on the stone of the dead person. Previously, you would usually see just the name of the father on the gravestone and/or the banners of the funeral.
Hamid Reza Rouhi was 19 years old when he was killed by Islamic Republic forces on November 18, 2022. He was shot three times.
During the commemoration ceremony of the 40th day since his death, following the violent confrontations of the security forces, most of whom were plainclothes and Basij forces, people clashed with them and finally, the security forces fled.
Imprisoned, but Still a Protester
Leila Hossein-Zadeh (31), a social activist, has been detained multiple times in the last 5 years. She was arrested recently at her home. Leila removed her mandatory hijab during her father’s visit to the prison and has been banned from visitors ever since.
Leila has an autoimmune disease, and her condition is critical. She was mistreated in prison and was prevented from receiving all the medicines and medical attention she needed. Due to Leila's medical condition, she should not be kept in prison. To protest against this situation and how she is treated inappropriately in the prison, she is now on a medicine strike.
“There is no line between the streets and the prison when it comes to resisting dictatorship. We’ll stand together and protest against unfairness everywhere.” Said Leila to her father. Recently, she was charged with five years of prison.
Soheila Hejab, another imprisoned female activist, published an audio message from prison several months ago:
“I tell the mercenaries and forces of the regime that I am not afraid of any of you and I am shouting right here from the prison yard: Death to the dictator, death to Khamenei.”
She was severely beaten in prison and was taken to the Kermanshah Court in a wheelchair on Thursday. Soheila's physical condition is very critical.
According to Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2022, a total of 845 Iranians were shot by the Islamic Republic forces, 571 of which died.