Forbes StaffHundreds rally for Iranian women’s rights in Paris, France.
On Sunday, hundreds of people marched across Paris, France, in support of women’s rights and the opposition in Iran. This comes two years after the death of Mahsa Amini sparked protests against the country’s religious authorities. The 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, Amini died in custody while she was arrested for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code for women.
People on the streets of Paris rallying for women’s rights.
Hundreds were found rallying in Paris for women’s rights. The march was organized by around twenty human rights associations. It took place as 34 women began a hunger strike in a Tehran prison to mark the 2-year anniversary of Amini’s death. A Franco-Iranian lawyer and member of the “Iran Justice” collective, Chirinne Ardakani, said that the “sacrifices” made by Iranians opposed to the regime were “not in vain.” She told AFP, “Everything has changed in Iran. We’ve gone from an absolutely patriarchal culture, where there was no question of women being able to reveal themselves in the street, to massive support for these women.”
“Women, Life, Freedom” movement.
The march in solidarity with the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement was attended by Benjamin Briere and Louis Arnaud, two Frenchmen who were arrested and arbitrarily detained in Iran. Iran is accused of arresting Westerners without a cause and also using them as bargaining chips in state-to-state negotiations with French diplomats, describing these prisoners as “state hostages.” Briere was released in May 2023, while Arnaud was let go a month later. Arnaud, in his first public address since his release, told the crowd, “Yes, I was in prison, but it is an immense honor to have been able to live among you, freedom fighters, who shared my suffering.” Three other French nationals are still held in Iran.
After Amini’s death on September 16, 2022, several women-led protests started, which rattled Iran’s leadership that autumn and winter. However, the demonstrations were later crushed by the authorities, with rights group Amnesty International saying security forces used assault rifles and shotguns in the crackdown. Human Rights groups say that at least 551 people were killed, and the United Nations says that thousands more were arrested.
