Results of a Study in Iran: Women, Life, Freedom Beyond a Women's Movement; Most Protests Were in Tehran and Kurdistan

The results of a study on the nationwide protests of 2022 in Iran, which began after the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini in the custody of the morality police in late September, show that it was 'beyond women's protests' and that Tehran and Kurdistan provinces recorded the highest levels of protests, while provinces such as Hamadan, Hormozgan, Ilam, and Lorestan recorded the lowest levels. The newspaper Ham-Mihan published reports of this study, which was presented at the 'National Conference on Social and Cultural Research in Iranian Society,' stating: 'During last year's protests in Iran, the highest and most intense protests occurred in Tehran and Kurdistan provinces, while the level of protests in Isfahan, East Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, and Khuzestan was moderate, and the provinces of Qom, Yazd, Hamadan, Hormozgan, Lorestan, and Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari had the lowest levels of protests.' According to this newspaper, Mohammad Rahbari, a graduate in political sociology, introduced the protests of 2022 as one of the most extensive demonstrations in recent decades and noted: 'Considering that these protests began following the death of Mahsa Amini, it was assumed that they were feminine and feminist in nature, but the geographical scope, complexity, gatherings abroad, and also the examination of the virtual space showed that the word Iran was the most frequently repeated concern of the protesters, followed by life, daughter, and freedom.' He also pointed out the occurrence of minor protests in four provinces: Semnan, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, North Khorasan, and South Khorasan, adding: 'The population size can affect the intensity of protests, but this intensity is not necessarily dependent on population size, as populous provinces like Isfahan and East Azerbaijan witnessed fewer protests compared to Kurdistan and Sistan and Baluchestan.' This social researcher identified economic problems as another factor contributing to the protests, stating: 'Alborz province is a clear example in this research, as the residents of this province, who once had a medium economic level, have been marginalized due to economic conditions, especially since 2018, and feel deprived, yet they have actively participated in protests with a sense of cultural and national concern.' Following the announcement of Mahsa Amini's death on September 16, 2022, widespread protests erupted across Iran. Hundreds of protesters lost their lives due to gunfire from government forces, at least 600 protesters were blinded or partially blinded by pellet bullets, and thousands were sentenced to long-term imprisonment and even execution. Continued pressure on student activists: The secretary of the Islamic Association of K.N. Toosi University has been suspended for two semesters. Hamideh Zarei, a detained protester, has been exiled to Rasht. Hossein Hosseinpour, an injured protester, has been sentenced to prison. Exclusive | U.S. State Department: We condemn the killing of Nika Shakerami and the horrific behavior of the Islamic Republic towards protesters. A death sentence has been issued for another protester; Shahin Vossaf has been accused of 'spying for Israel.' Exclusive to VOA; Javaid Rahman: The people of Iran have the courage to resist the Islamic Republic. Disclosure of a document of 'rape' against Nika Shakerami before her death; users: The Islamic Republic is the enemy of humanity.