At Least 8 Protest Gatherings Held

According to Hrana news agency, the news organ of the Human Rights Activists collection in Iran, today Wednesday, December 17, 1399, a group of young job seekers from Shahrvand village in the Behbahan suburbs gathered in protest against unemployment and lack of jobs in front of the engineering camp gate of Bid Boland 2 refinery in this city.

The gathering of these individuals took place while after waiting for nearly a year and a half for employment and job creation for them, the Behbahan police commander promised to hold a meeting with relevant officials at the previous day’s gathering to recruit these young people in the workplace, on the condition of ending their gatherings, which ultimately resulted contrary to the promises given.

This meeting was held with the presence of the refinery management and security chief, the Behbahan police commander, the representative of Behbahan people, and also engineer Omidizadeh. It is said that each of the aforementioned officials individually hired people without following legal procedures at Bid Boland 2 refinery in Behbahan.

Gathering of Worker Families in Shadegan

According to Hrana news agency, the news organ of the Human Rights Activists collection in Iran, today Wednesday, December 17, 1399, a group of families of workers and retired workers from Shadegan city gathered in protest against their poor livelihood conditions, holding protest signs in this city.

One of those present at the gathering addressed the officials saying: Officials only think about themselves and their children. So when will someone help the people? We don’t even have the means to pay for our infants’ milk.

Gathering of Shareholders in Tehran

According to Fars news agency, today Wednesday, December 17, 1399, a group of shareholders of Mehr Eqtesad Bank gathered in protest against the share pricing of this bank in front of the Judiciary building.

One of those present at the gathering said: “Shareholders are protesting the merger process and asset valuation of the bank because they believe the determined price is much lower than its actual value”.

Another protesting citizen stated: “The share price that has been set is 1400 tomans and despite all this inflation and price increases, the value of this bank’s shares has not changed. While the shares of similar banks have seen significant increases during this period. Moreover, based on bank financial statements, this bank has been profitable and there is no justification for low share pricing”.

Gathering of Citizens Protesting Destructive Environmental Activities in Yazd

According to the Free Workers Union of Iran, today Wednesday, December 17, 1399, a group of residents of Kordabad village in Yazd gathered in protest against destructive mining activities in front of the Yazd governorate building.

The people of Kordabad village had previously expressed their protests regarding this category of development activities, which they consider to be harmful to the environment and nature of the region, and demanded prevention of destructive mining activities.

Gathering of Babol University of Medical Sciences Students

According to the Free Workers Union of Iran, today Wednesday, December 17, 1399, a group of students from Babol University of Medical Sciences gathered in protest against inadequate educational conditions on the university campus.

The protesting students stated their main demands regarding the poor quality of virtual teaching by faculty members and the way final exams are held, as well as the inefficiency of the university’s education department.

Gathering of Literacy Campaign Instructors in Khuzestan

According to Asr-e Jonub, today Wednesday, December 17, 1399, a number of literacy campaign instructors from Khuzestan Province gathered in protest against neglecting their demands in front of the provincial education and training building.

Literacy campaign instructors from 1392 onwards continue to be in an uncertain situation regarding their employment status.

The protesters present at this gathering, while chanting slogans such as “Retired personnel have taken our place” and “We gave our lives, we planted the seeds of literacy,” demanded changes in their situation and resolution of their employment status.

Gathering of Islamic Azad University Students in Tehran

According to Mehr news agency, on Tuesday, December 16, 1399, a number of PhD students from Islamic Azad University gathered in protest against the new circular regarding the defense of specialized doctoral dissertations in front of the Islamic Azad University Central Organization.

At this gathering, students held banners that read; “Compensating for Islamic Azad University’s economic stagnation and financial pressures from the pockets of graduate students,” “Why is Islamic Azad University not accountable to any institution or body,” and “The doctoral defense circular should be revoked.”

It is said that in part of this circular it is emphasized that “all PhD students who have previously conducted their pre-defense but have not succeeded in conducting their final defense by November 15 of the current year, their pre-defense is deemed as if it never happened and they must conduct pre-defense again according to the mentioned conditions.”

This is while some protesting students believe that if they have already conducted pre-defense or even have accepted papers, why does the university invalidate it and say they must conduct pre-defense again.

In another section of this circular it states: “If a student earns more than five points by presenting one of the specified scientific achievements in this circular and its supplement, they can proceed with defense and settlement without presenting the second paper.”

However, some students are also protesting this clause and saying that earning more than 5 points means a Q1 paper, which is very high level, and does not even allow those who have Q2 papers to defend.

Gathering of Khomeini Hospital Personnel in Karaj

According to Hrana news agency, the news organ of the Human Rights Activists collection in Iran, on Tuesday, December 16, 1399, a group of Khomeini Hospital personnel in Karaj gathered on the hospital premises in protest.

The protesters present at this gathering, while chanting slogans such as “Promises are enough, our table is empty,” “Our patience is over, God come to our aid,” and “All this injustice, no nation has ever seen,” demanded payment of their overdue salaries.