Iranian Teachers' Union: Armita Faces the Same Fate as Mahsa and 'Withers Away'

The Iranian Teachers' Union reacted to the death of Armita Garavand in a statement, writing that "while the people of Iran are still mourning the loss of their young daughters and sons in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, another girl meets the same fate that withered Zhina Mahsa Amini." The statement continues: "This creates a terrifying mindset among the people that tomorrow their daughter could be the next victim." The Iranian Teachers' Union emphasized that Armita Garavand was another teenage girl who lost her precious life in the struggle for optional hijab. The statement deemed the demand for optional hijab as valuable and identified it as one of the fundamental axes in advancing the democracy-seeking process of Iranians. Released on Monday, the statement asserted that democracy cannot be achieved without gender equality and that the demand for optional hijab is a "realistic and achievable request and an effort towards realizing this vital process." The Teachers' Union's statement highlights that "Armita, Zhina/Mahsa, Nika, Sarina, and ... are fighting girls who each stood against the cultural/ideological policies of the authoritarian regime and paid the price of this resistance with their lives." This teachers' union believes that pursuing such "resistance" necessitates the solidarity and empathy of civil and professional institutions and placing the authoritarian regime in front of challenging issues. The statement mentions that contrary to the views of "some so-called opposition, freedom of hijab is not only an issue but remains one of the main issues." Accordingly, the Teachers' Union wrote that "our duty as a civil institution" in the field of education becomes "more pronounced in confronting ideological/juristic education." The union declared that "our main responsibility is not only to defend students as our children but also to awaken some of our colleagues to refrain from cooperating with the regime's cultural policies aimed at reinforcing compulsory hijab." Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old girl, was attacked on the morning of October 1, 2023, while heading to school at the "Shahada Square" metro station in Tehran for not wearing the mandatory hijab. During the incident, she was pushed by a "morality enforcer," causing her head to hit the train's exit door, leading to her unconsciousness and subsequent coma. Her official death was announced on November 6, which sparked widespread reactions. The White House commented on Armita Garavand's death, stating that this violence against the people indicates the "fragility of the regime." Zahra Rahnavard addressed the "rulers" of the Islamic Republic, stating: "The stigma of girl-killing will remain on your forehead." The U.S. reaction to Armita Garavand's death described the Islamic Republic's violence against women as "devastating." Reports from Iranian media highlighted the restrictions and prohibitions on reporting about Armita Garavand, stating that permission is required. Narges Mohammadi stated that Armita was sent to her death due to "compulsory hijab." The news of Armita Garavand's death received widespread coverage in global media. Iranian figures reacted to Armita Garavand's death with grief, anger, and sorrow. The slogan "Death to the Dictator" was chanted on the night of Armita Garavand's burial in Ekbatan Town on November 7. A crowd attended the burial ceremony of Armita Garavand at Behesht Zahra in Tehran. A banner was installed in memory of Armita Garavand in Karaj, stating: "Yesterday Mahsa, today Armita; the next victim could be one of us." Nasrin Sotoudeh was arrested at Armita Garavand's burial ceremony. Armita Garavand's burial took place under "heavy security measures," with several attendees being arrested. Hengaw reported that security agencies did not allow Armita's body to be transferred to Kermanshah. Amnesty International expressed concern over reports regarding Armita Garavand's "critical condition."