Formation of Another July 9 in Universities

Narges Mohammadi, a civil rights activist, warned through a message about the formation of another July 9 incident in universities.

For some time, a security atmosphere has prevailed in universities where many protesting students are treated with extreme violence. In recent days, a video was circulated on social media showing a student’s head being struck against the stairs of a corridor at Allameh Tabatabai University by one of the security personnel, demonstrating violent treatment against a student.

Many students from Tehran University of Art were also arrested following protests against mandatory hijab requirements, and significant pressure has been exerted on students in various universities, particularly in dormitories, regarding dress codes, even for male students.

Narges Mohammadi, a civil rights activist currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison, in light of the approaching date of July 9 and the security atmosphere prevailing in universities, warned through a letter about the formation of another July 9 incident in universities.

In this letter, while calling for an end to merciless violence against universities, she wrote: “The atmosphere following the revolutionary movement of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ demonstrated that not passivity and not compliance with the current situation, but rather the dissemination of power and the strengthening of collective will for fundamental change, is the model for the Iranian people.”

Ms. Mohammadi warned the government and declared: “Ruthless aggression and threats against universities can turn into a spark of uprising and widespread public protests. The protests of students and people throughout Iran are a powerful echo and resonant expression of the word ‘no’ to religious authoritarian rule.”

In this letter, Narges Mohammadi, referring to the events of University Street on July 9, 1999, which was one of the bloodiest suppressions of students in the history of Iran’s student movement, called upon international human rights bodies, international feminist organizations, writers and academics worldwide not to allow the suffering Iranian society to witness another July 9 in universities.