A demonstration in support of Ahou Daryaei, an Iranian student arrested for wearing underwear, was held in Marseille. The rally denounced the repression of women’s rights in Iran.
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On November 2, Ahou Daryaei, a French literature student and mother of two children, was arrested in front of her university in Iran, after she stripped down to her underwear following a remark on her clothing by the morality police. In front of Azad University in Tehran, this action, although brief, had immediate consequences: Ahou Daryaei was arrested, and since then, there has been no news regarding her condition. A filmed scene, widely distributed on social networks, which caused a wave of support.
Thus, on Wednesday November 6, in front of the Marseille law faculty, a gathering, organized by two feminist associations, Le Collectif 13 and Femmes solidaires, took place. Under the slogans “For Ahou Daryae, freedom!” and “Iranian Revolution: Woman, Life, Freedom”, protesters expressed solidarity with the Iranian student and the many women fighting for their emancipation in Iran. Among the signs held up, strong messages such as “Solidarity with Iranian women” were visible.
“Woman, life, freedom” chant feminist demonstrators in support of Ahou Daryaei
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© France 3 Provence-Alpes
Annick, feminist activist, spoke at the demonstration to share her concerns: “A friend, Chahla Chafiq, manages to obtain information about Ahou. But since the beginning of the afternoon, there was still no news. I fear that she will suffer the same fate as Mahsa Amini, and that we will never see her again. Some say she was taken to a psychiatric ward. One thing is certain, it is that the violence is extreme, when we know that there are 29 hangings per day in Iran…“
The claim is clear: “Ahou must be released, as well as all political prisoners”, expresses Annick. But it doesn’t stop there. She calls for this to become a state affair. “We are addressing our elected officials here who can bring the matter to Parliament, to the Senate, to the government“.
She also recalls the situation of other women like Narges Mohammadi, Iranian activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, still imprisoned in Iran: “She was released and then imprisoned for refusing to wear the veil. She has started a hunger strike which is putting her life in danger. The Iranian regime considers women to have no value unless they submit to the demands of the mullahs.”
During this demonstration, a poem translated from Persian was read to honor the struggle of Iranian women. In an extract, the illustration of a current reality: “A barricade in the head, the child’s eyes stolen by the dictator, his mother stolen, his father stolen, his land stolen”.
For Alexandre, another activist present at the demonstration, Daryaei’s gesture is above all an act of courage: “It’s a huge gesture of courage, especially when you imagine what they did to him behind. I can’t help but imagine what they did to him behind, that’s why I came.”
Alexandre imagines the fate of the Iranian student : “We have other historical examples of people who said ‘no’ and ended up being repressed, and this is his case. So it’s important that there are gatherings all over the world to show support”.
Aurélien Levonian, president of the UNEF Union Renewal at Aix-Marseille University, expresses his indignation: “What is happening in Iran is catastrophic. We are witnessing the annihilation of women’s rights in this country.” He adds, “I think they can’t take it so much that this had to be the only solution to show the whole world what’s going on.”
This scene, for him, has resonance for all youth. “As a progressive student union, we defend the rights of all young people, and to see freedom of expression suppressed like this is revolting. Ahou’s gesture is an act of immense courage. So, in support, we we responded to the call of feminist associations”.
The fight for the rights of Iranian women continues, and solidarity does not weaken. A new demonstration, which will start from the top of the Réformés district, is planned for next Saturday, November 23, on the occasion of the international day against violence against women.
