International Women's Union for Peace and Freedom Supports Student from Science and Research University

"International Women's Union for Peace and Freedom" issued a statement supporting a student from Science and Research University who undressed in response to harassment by security forces regarding her hijab. This international organization stated on Thursday, November 8, that the student's act of undressing was a "brave action to challenge the Basij forces" and mentioned that she has since been arrested and disappeared by the IRGC. The statement adds that the student's action represents the courage and powerful resistance of countless women fighting for their rights and freedom. Officials from the government of Masoud Pezeshkian insist that the girl was transferred to "mental health treatment centers" after her arrest and is undergoing treatment. The Islamic Republic has repeatedly labeled some civil and political activists as "mentally ill" and has hospitalized them in psychiatric hospitals. The "International Women's Union for Peace and Freedom" called on the global community to take immediate action for the unconditional release of all political prisoners. Meanwhile, the Iranian Scientific Association of Psychiatrists reported on Thursday that they visited the "hospitalized location" of the student and, without mentioning whether they met her in person or observed any signs of mental illness, stated that they received "reassuring explanations from the responsible doctors regarding the respect for human rights, professional ethics, and scientific standards concerning her, which have been confirmed by this association's investigations." The Minister of Science stated that the Science and Research student is receiving treatment. The statement further added that the Iranian Scientific Association of Psychiatrists has always invited governing bodies to uphold citizens' rights, adhere to ethics, and accept diverse opinions, and has been sensitive to any ambiguity or suspicion regarding the misuse of psychiatry. This organization continued by stating that it is essential to respect each other's privacy, avoid hasty judgments, and support one another in times of difficulty and illness. The arrest of the Science and Research student has faced widespread international criticism, including from Amnesty International. On Saturday, November 3, a video of a female student from Tehran's Science and Research University was circulated on social media, showing her sitting in the university environment after removing her clothes in response to harassment by security forces. Following the release of this video, Amir Kabir Newsletter reported that this female student was beaten and kidnapped due to her failure to comply with mandatory hijab regulations by the security forces of the Science and Research University. Farhikhtegan newspaper, affiliated with Azad University, also claimed, citing "official and unofficial sources," that this student has "severe mental and psychological disorders" and reported that she is "currently hospitalized in one of the psychiatric hospitals after being handed over to the police station by the university's security forces."