Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions: Arrests Indicate Government's Panic

The Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions in Iran condemned the arrest of several women's rights activists in Gilan and Kurdistan, emphasizing that these arrests are a result of the government's panic to prevent the resurgence of protests in September. The council stated in a statement on their Telegram channel: "In September 2022, following the government-sanctioned murder of Mahsa Amini, the suppressed anger of the people erupted in the streets once again, and despite the massacre and widespread arrests of protesters, the weakened foundations of the government trembled more than ever. The unparalleled and pioneering role of women and girls in this magnificent movement intimidated the security apparatus of the government to the extent that they spared no effort to silence this voice of justice-seeking." The Coordination Council of Teachers' Trade Unions also described the allegations against these activists as a "shameless repetition of the security forces' scenarios in collaboration with state media and the judiciary" and stressed: "This council, while emphasizing the freedom-seeking and equality-demanding demands of the Iranian protest movement, strongly condemns the illegal detention of activists from various fields and calls for their unconditional release, while urging people across the country to be the voice of these prisoners and other political prisoners throughout Iran." Media and civil activists in Iran reported on Wednesday, August 16, that at least 7 women's rights activists were arrested in the cities of Rasht, Bandar Anzali, Fuman, and Lahijan in Gilan province, a number that increased to 13 with subsequent arrests. Additionally, human rights sources announced on the last day of August that the number of detained Kurds had risen to 136 as the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death approached and security pressures intensified. The recent wave of arrests has faced widespread criticism, and human rights activists have warned about the government's efforts to prevent the formation of protests on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. Amnesty International also accused Iranian officials of using "sinister tactics" to silence the families of victims on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the "Women, Life, Freedom" uprising.