Human Rights Violations in Iran; Plaintiffs Demand Public Attention with the Hashtag 'Hear Our Voices'

A number of families of victims are using the hashtag 'Hear Our Voices' on social media to commemorate those killed during nationwide protests and to call for public attention to human rights violations in Iran by the Islamic Republic. Several family members and relatives of protesters killed during the protests or executed by the judiciary have issued a joint message on the social media platform X, urging people to write about 'lesser-known prisoners and lesser-heard injustices' with the hashtag 'Hear Our Voices,' stating that 'nothing is more important than the noble and dear lives of our compatriots in captivity.' Leila Mahdavi, the mother of Siavash Mahmoudi, a teenager killed during the crackdown on protests in Nazariabad, Tehran, noted that the Islamic Republic authorities did not allow her to hold a memorial for her son, writing on X: 'Our house was attacked. My child's grave was besieged a week in advance.' She also stated that she has been 'threatened with death' and has faced 'psychological pressures' in addition to prohibitions on 'images and speech.' Mohammad Hashemi, the cousin of Majid Kazemi, an executed protester in Isfahan, wrote about the pressure on plaintiffs, particularly regarding the 'severe repression of the family' of Mohsen Qaisari, who was 'killed by gunfire to the head and chest' during last year's protests, emphasizing that pressures continue even on relatives and acquaintances to 'not pursue justice,' with many being summoned and detained multiple times. Mostafa Qaisari, the brother of this lesser-known protest victim, wrote: 'They killed Mohsen and returned his body after three days of wandering and confusion, with over 50 bullets in his head and chest. His funeral was held under heavy security measures, with dozens arrested.' According to him, 'at the fortieth-day ceremony, they cruelly blocked access to the grave and shot directly at the people, injuring several and sending some to prison,' and at his anniversary, the family was also prohibited from going to the grave, with 'threats and pressures continuing against relatives and family.' Fatemeh Heydari, the sister of Joavad Heydari, one of the victims of the nationwide protests in 2022, reported on the pressures faced by the family of Milad Saidiangoo, a protester killed in Izeh, writing: 'Zahra, Milad's sister, has been arrested three times and is still in detention in Sepidar prison. Milad's family was beaten with batons at his grave for wanting to celebrate his birthday, and his sisters' hair was pulled, and his siblings were arrested.' She stated that they have been repeatedly 'threatened with death,' and Zahra, who is part of the medical staff, 'was fired twice from her job and had to return to Izeh to sell coal because she couldn't find work!' Heydari also emphasized that the Islamic Republic authorities 'have closed all of Zahra's accounts and taken her documents.' Farhad Mahmoudi, the brother of Fereydoun Mahmoudi, who was killed during the crackdown on protests in Saqez on September 19 last year, recalled that 'Omid Ghadimi,' the brother of Foad Ghadimi, another protest victim, 'was in solitary confinement for 15 days and is to be tried on December 20, 2023, for the crime of seeking justice for his brother and for activities on social media,' and on the anniversary, while 'Omid was in solitary confinement,' the family 'was not allowed to go to the grave.' Shabnam Eskandari, whose brother Mohammad Reza Eskandari was killed on September 30 last year during the crackdown on protests in Pakdasht, Tehran, noted the pressures on individuals who commemorate the victims, writing on X: 'A young man was told why he held a ceremony for Mohammad Reza? Another was told why he posted Mohammad Reza's photo in his story? Another religious young man was asked why Mohammad Reza's photo was at the religious gathering? Another was told why he went to his grave?' The pressure on plaintiffs and citizens who support the killed protesters and their families has a history. Recently, a source informed VOA that after judicial authorities in Lorestan arrested an environmental activist for 'planting a tree on Nika Shakeri's grave,' unknown individuals targeted his brother with six bullets in front of Khorramabad Central Prison.