Attack on Faculty of Fine Arts and Destruction of Students’ Musical Instruments

The security personnel of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Tehran University attacked the faculty and destroyed students’ musical instruments.

Last Wednesday, a video was shared on social media platforms showing students from the Faculty of Fine Arts performing an English-language song as a group. Social media users responded positively to the video and encouraged the students.

Following this incident and the resharing of the music video on social media, on Saturday, the 23rd of Ordibehesht, security personnel from the faculty entered the Department of Theater and Music at the Faculty of Fine Arts campus. Under the pretext of students’ non-compliance with the hijab code, they engaged in physical confrontation with the students, resulting in injuries to several faculty members. The security personnel also destroyed the students’ musical instruments.

In response to this confrontation, students chanted protest slogans. It should be noted that the public relations office of Tehran University has not yet issued any statement regarding the incidents that occurred in this faculty.

Students reported that they were treated in the worst possible manner by security personnel, who used vulgar language toward them. According to law, the university’s security is responsible for physical security, selective inquiries, and hiring. However, nowhere in the university’s regulations and bylaws has security been granted the authority, power, or authorization to treat students in such a manner.

Today, students and music artists strongly condemned the beating and assault on students and music faculty members, as well as the destruction of their instruments by personnel identified as security forces at the Faculty of Fine Arts. They demanded that those responsible for and who ordered this shameful act of disrespect be identified and dealt with severely.