Simin Sabri: The Iranian Regime Increases Pressure on Women to Demonstrate Its Power

Alirza Quluncu, Voice of America, August 10, 2022

Simin Sabri

Psychiatrist and political activist Simin Sabri, in an interview with Voice of America, assessed the increasing repression and restrictions imposed on various social groups in Iran following the rise to power of President Ebrahim Raisi.

According to Sabri, during Raisi’s tenure, as state violence and repression against different segments of society have intensified, so have public reactions. She emphasized that protests have become even more intense compared to the past.

"People are no longer afraid of death. They take to the streets with large banners, protesting against Ebrahim Raisi, against Khamenei, and against the entire system. Women, teachers, retirees, and workers are not only demanding their class-specific rights but also calling for the release of political prisoners and detained labor activists. All these people have now become individuals who stand up for their rights," Sabri said.

She pointed out that Iranian security and police forces, in their attempts to suppress peaceful protests, sometimes resort to using firearms. However, this only leads to even stronger reactions and continued protests:

"Over the past few decades, people have tried every possible path. At one point, they followed the reformists, but they lost hope in them. They voted for certain presidential candidates because they genuinely believed in their promises to solve problems. They gave them a chance. But now, they say that the debate between reformists and conservatives is over. People have reached a point where they have no hope in anyone anymore."

The political activist stated, "Various segments of society in Iran now see no solution other than a regime change."

Recently, alongside the increasing levels of poverty and inflation, the Islamic Republic has intensified its crackdown on women by emphasizing the issue of hijab and morality.

According to Sabri, "In this regime, women have always been an easy target. Whenever the regime wants to instill fear and demonstrate its power, it increases pressure on women. It wants to send the message that control is in its hands. That’s why different forces, operating under various names, intervene in women’s dress codes with violence in the streets."

Human rights activists have highlighted that police forces, along with morality enforcement units assigned to monitor women's clothing, have become even more ruthless towards the public, particularly during Ebrahim Raisi’s presidency.

Sabri noted the growing number of campaigns against compulsory hijab, stating that women’s reactions to this oppression have also intensified.

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Link to the original interview in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Simin Səbri: İslam Respublikası gücünü göstərmək üçün qadınlara təzyiqi artırır