Women in Iran protest restrictions - 5th October 2022

A 22 year old woman has died in Iran, which has led to demonstrations across the country. Mahsa Amini had been arrested by the religious police. She was stopped for wearing her headscarf in an "improper" way.

Amini passed away after three days in a coma, which protestors say is the result of police beating her on the head. However, police tried to claim Amini had existing medical conditions.

The protests have spread from the capital to become the largest in over three years. They're led by women, who are demanding better treatment, and many have burned their headscarves and symbolically cut off their own hair. They oppose laws on women's dress and their treatment by police. The protests are also being supported by an increasing number of men.

Women worldwide are supporting the protestors on social media and at their own protests. They've removed headscarves and cut hair to show their support.

The demonstrations are receiving a violent response from the Iranian authorities. The internet's restricted to prevent details reaching the outside world. Iran's leaders have demanded strong measures against protestors. However, a calm response has been requested by Grand Ayatollah Noori-Hamedani, a senior religious figure.

Reports from Amnesty International state that there have been over a hundred deaths and several hundred arrests.