Rallying behind Iran’s women
PROTESTERS in Townsville have gathered a show of solidarity with women in Iran, as one local MP calls for Australia to lead the charge to expel the regime from the UN Women’s Commission.
It comes after the death in custody of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini sparked global anger, leading to protests across the world.
The 22-year-old was arrested in Tehran for wearing “unsuitable attire” on September 13.
Videos have emerged online of some women tearing off their headscarves, while others have filmed themselves cutting their hair.
In Townsville, members of the local Iranian community and the broader public gathered at the Gregory Street Amphitheatre on Saturday to show their support for the people of Iran in their struggle for justice and freedom.
Iranian refugee Shahen Wheatley, who fled to Australia during the Iranian Revolution in 1979, said she was heartened to see locals raise community awareness of the Iranian struggle.
“These young people protesting in Iran are not a part of any party or union,” she said.
“They don’t have an agenda. They only want their basic rights.
“They want to be able to protest in the street, to express their opinions and dress the way they want. What is their weapon? Their voice and their scarf in hand.
“What’s the weapon of the regime? Guns, batons, torture and rape.
“But they still are brave enough to look them right in the eye and demand their freedom. I think that’s why their cause has touched the heart of the world.”
Among those at the protest was the Federal Member for Herbert, Phil Thompson, who said he had called for a full independent investigation of Mahsa Amini’s death and for Australia to take the lead in having Iran removed from the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
“As a member of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Australia has a responsibility to make our position on Iran’s membership clear,” he said.
“We support the call of the Iranian community for Australia to play our part in ensuring there is firm, concrete action taken in response to Mahsa Amini’s death and the actions of the Iranian regime.”