Iran arrests women’s rights activists ahead of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ anniversary

Arrests of Women’s Rights Activists in Iran

LONDON — At least 11 women’s rights activists were arrested by security forces in Iran in the northern province of Gilan Wednesday, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

However, Iranian officials say the number of people arrested in Gilan is 12, according to the Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard. It quotes the “Intelligence Office of Gilan Province” as saying those arrested are an “organizational team of 12 members, which has a history of numerous anti-security activities over the last year’s riots.”

HRANA says in most cases, the arrests occurred by raiding activists’ homes.

Additional Arrests and Concerns

In addition to the arrests in Gilan, HRANA also reports at least one and possibly two other arrests in Tehran on Wednesday.

“Families of these citizens are highly worried as there is no news of their fates,” HRANA adds.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The arrests and crackdown on activists in Iran are concerning in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. SDG 5 aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. However, these arrests indicate a violation of women’s rights and hinder progress towards this goal.

Furthermore, SDG 16 focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. The arrests and raids on activists’ homes raise concerns about the inclusivity and accountability of Iran’s institutions.

Background: ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ Movement

The arrests come ahead of the first-year anniversary of the start of the nationwide ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement in Iran. This movement began after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the government’s morality police for allegedly not complying with the mandatory hijab rule. Amini’s death sparked widespread protests and has been described as a significant challenge to the government regime.

Increasing Crackdown and Concerns

According to Iran Human Rights, at least 537 people have been killed and 22,000 people have been arrested since the start of the protests. As the anniversary of Amini’s death approaches, there has been an increasing number of detentions and raids targeting activists, filmmakers, and former protestors.

The Iranian House of Cinema, the professional organization for Iranian filmmakers, has criticized the strict court sentences imposed on artists and filmmakers, stating that they are “humiliating” and do not contribute to bridging divides.

Impact on Freedom of Expression

The arrests and crackdown on activists have created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. Many individuals are afraid to leave their homes or express their opinions on social media. This stifling of freedom of expression hinders progress towards SDG 16, which emphasizes the importance of inclusive and accountable institutions that respect and protect human rights.

Conclusion

The arrests of women’s rights activists in Iran, along with the increasing crackdown on filmmakers and protestors, raise concerns about the country’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. Upholding human rights, promoting gender equality, and ensuring inclusive and accountable institutions are essential for achieving sustainable development.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
   • Indicator: Number of women’s rights activists arrested

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
   • Indicator: Number of arrests and detentions related to activism and protests

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

Under SDG 5, the specific targets that can be identified based on the article’s content are Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere, and Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The arrests of women’s rights activists in Iran indicate discrimination and violence against women.

Under SDG 16, the specific target that can be identified is Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. The arrests and detentions of activists and protestors mentioned in the article indicate a violation of fundamental freedoms and restrictions on public access to information.

The indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are the number of women’s rights activists arrested (related to SDG 5) and the number of arrests and detentions related to activism and protests (related to SDG 16).

Overall, the article highlights the ongoing challenges and violations of gender equality, human rights, and freedom of expression in Iran, which are relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals.

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Source: abcnews.go.com

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