Revisiting the Nationwide Protests of 2022; The Death of Mahsa Amini in Custody and the Events That Followed

Two years have passed since Mahsa Amini was killed while in the custody of the morality police; an incident that sparked public outcry among Iranians and marked the beginning of nationwide protests that lasted for months across all provinces of Iran, resulting in thousands of deaths, injuries, and arrests, and continues to claim victims. The nationwide protests of 2022 began in response to Mahsa Amini's death on the evening of September 16 that year in front of Kasra Hospital in Tehran, intensified with the significant presence of citizens at her funeral in Saqez, and in the following days gained national scope, continuing for months in public spaces, schools, and universities. Mahsa (Jina) Amini's name, as inscribed on her grave during her burial, became a 'code name' for these protests both inside and outside Iran. Reports indicate that the peaceful protests, suppressed by official and plainclothes forces of the Islamic Republic, left over five hundred dead. Nika Shakerami, a teenager killed during the protests in Tehran, became a symbol of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement after her family publicized the details of her murder and sought justice. Another significant event was the widespread shooting of protesters by government forces during Friday prayers in Zahedan that year, which left dozens dead, an incident that became known as 'Bloody Friday of Zahedan.' Kian Pirfalak, a 9-year-old boy who died from indiscriminate gunfire by government forces in Izeh on November 25, 2022, is also recognized as a symbol of these protests. Following the disclosure of a confidential report by the IRGC in the subsequent months, it became clear that even according to government polls, the nationwide protests of 2022 had the support of 84% of Iranians. Less than three months after the onset of the peaceful protests triggered by Mahsa Amini's death, the police began executing detained protesters, starting with Mohsen Shekari. These executions were described by UN experts as resulting from 'unfair trials' and 'baseless actions depriving these individuals of the right to life.' They called on the Iranian government to immediately revoke these death sentences, but the Iranian government not only ignored this international request but also executed nationalist protester Majidreza Rahnavard in public a few days later. In addition to the executions of Mohsen Shekari on December 7 and Majidreza Rahnavard on December 21, 2022, Iranian judicial authorities executed Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini on January 6 of the same year, and Salih Mirhashimi, Saeed Yaqoubi, and Majid Kazemi on May 17, 2023, among others. The actions of Iranian officials regarding the nationwide protests of 2022 did not only target protesters but also led to various pressures on families and even the arrest of dozens of the bereaved families of those killed and executed during these protests on 'false charges.' Human rights organizations have stated that the Iranian government commits injustice twice, once by executing or killing a family member and then by arresting their loved ones. However, some analysts and justice seekers, including Aida Shakerami, sister of Nika Shakerami's justice seeker, emphasize that the extent of the Iranian government's crimes regarding the nationwide protests of 2022 is 'much broader than what has been revealed so far.' Two years after Mahsa Amini's death, government repression of public justice-seeking and nationwide protests continues to claim victims. Recently, two injured protesters died after enduring suffering for two years. Sara Deldar, a former political prisoner who was injured while helping wounded protesters and later arrested, died from chronic infections caused by pellet wounds in Rasht. Additionally, Mohammad Azad, a protester who was shot in the head, right eye, and abdomen by Iranian agents two years ago, also succumbed to his injuries. Despite the passage of two years since Mahsa Amini's death in the custody of the morality police and the repeated follow-ups by her lawyers and family, as her father Amjad Amini states, the Iranian judiciary has yet to provide any answers regarding her case. This case is not only pursued by Mahsa Amini's family through official legal channels but also publicly by Iranians as part of ongoing protests seeking justice. Amjad Amini has stated in a voice message received by VOA that if the Iranian government does not impose last year's restrictions, 'given the calls and requests from the people,' the anniversary ceremony for his daughter will be held on Sunday, September 16. Mahsa (Jina) Amini died a few days after her arrest by the morality police on September 25, 2022, in Kasra Hospital in Tehran, and her death triggered a widespread wave of protests across Iran that continued for months in streets, universities, and schools. During the suppression of the nationwide protests of 2022 by government forces, hundreds of citizens were killed, and thousands were injured and arrested.