Detained Women at Iran's Ministry of Labor on International Women's Day Released

Reports indicate that with the release of 14 women detained during the International Women's Day gathering in Iran, all women arrested on this day have been freed, while five men remain imprisoned. According to the Telegram channel 'March 8 Gathering' and reports circulating on social media, the 14 women detained at the International Women's Day protest in front of the Ministry of Labor were released on bail on the evening of Monday, March 21. The Telegram channel stated that judicial authorities promised that the detained men from this gathering would also be released on Wednesday. Reports indicate that Ali Afsongar, Ali Salem, Peyman Chehraz, Mehrdad Ghazi, and Javad Abbas Toleli are still held in Fashafouyeh prison. The March 8 gathering was scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 17, in front of the Ministry of Labor building, but security forces blocked the area from the morning of that day, preventing the gathering from occurring. Despite this, the protest took place, resulting in over 80 arrests, with about 60 individuals released on the same day and the following Saturday. Reports indicate that the 14 detained women were transferred to Qarchak prison, while five men were taken to Fashafouyeh prison. The protest focused on 'opposition to inequality, injustice, and the unfavorable conditions for women, especially in the labor market,' as well as expressing dissatisfaction and protest 'against the dire situation of women and the violation of their human and social rights.' The security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have previously prevented similar gatherings and other protests by women's activists. For instance, in 2006, around 60 individuals were arrested during a gathering requested by women's activists in Haft Tir Square. In 2005, prior to the presidential elections, a gathering of women's activists was held in front of Tehran University. This year, prior to International Women's Day, public protests against mandatory hijab laws in Iran had made headlines. Public protests against mandatory hijab began in December and have led to the arrest of over 35 women, including Vida Mohad, Narges Hosseini, Azam Jangravi, Shaparak Shajary, and Maryam Shariyatmand, who were arrested and later released. In this context, some of the detainees from International Women's Day have been 'accused of actions against national security.' Khamenei: 'They spent so much for a few girls to take off their hijabs.' 20 of the detainees from the International Women's Day event in Iran were transferred to prison.