Student Protests on Student Day, December 7 in Iran

The Student Day ceremony in Iran was accompanied by student protests at various universities across the country. According to reports from the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) and the Iranian Labor News Agency (ILNA), some political figures invited to the Student Day ceremony were unable to attend. On Tuesday, protesting students during the Student Day ceremony called for the lifting of house arrest for the leaders of the Green Movement and the release of political prisoners. Images of these student protests have been shared online. Mustafa Tajzadeh and Behzad Nabavi, reformist figures, were reported to have been prevented from attending the Student Day ceremony. The host of the Student Day ceremony at Amir Kabir University stated in the presence of the Deputy Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, Ali Motahari, that the Tehran Prosecutor's Office had sent a letter prohibiting many guests from attending the ceremony. At Amir Kabir University, students also expressed support for Majid Tavakoli, a student leader who, after about five years in prison, is currently facing a five-year ban on political activity and travel. At the University of Tehran, students harmonized with the school song in the university courtyard. At the University of Science and Technology, protesting students in the presence of Hojjatoleslam Majid Ansari, the legal deputy of the President, called for an end to the house arrest of the Green Movement leaders. During the special programs for the anniversary of December 7 and Student Day, a positive atmosphere prevailed in the country and universities, with speakers from various orientations present in multiple provinces and cities. The Director General of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Interior stated that during the special programs for the anniversary of December 7 and Student Day, a good atmosphere prevailed in the country and universities. At Shahid Beheshti University, protesting students held images of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, Mohammad Khatami, and Ahmad Montazeri during a speech by the economic advisor to the President, Mohammad Ali Najafi, and protested the presence of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting staff at the ceremony. At the University of Nowshahr, a student mentioned that Narges Mohammadi, the Vice President of the Human Rights Defenders Association, is still imprisoned. During a debate at Nowshahr University, many discussions about the violation of the rights of political and civil activists such as the leaders of the Green Movement, Narges Mohammadi, and Ahmad Montazeri were raised, with repeated questions on this matter. Additionally, at Shiraz University, a student criticized the security guards' treatment of students. Simultaneously, the echo of the school song was also heard at Allameh Tabatabai University. According to Iranian news agencies, the Director General of Political Affairs at the Ministry of Interior, Mohammad Amin Rezazadeh, stated on Wednesday that during the special programs for the anniversary of December 7 and Student Day, a good atmosphere prevailed in the country and universities, with speakers from various orientations present in multiple provinces and cities. In this context, Motahari reiterated that the house arrest of Mousavi, Rahnavard, and Karroubi is unconstitutional. The government ceremony for Student Day was held at the University of Tehran with the presence of Hassan Rouhani, where a group of students staged a protest.