US Reaction to the Death of Armita Garavand: The Violence of the Islamic Republic Against Women Has Been 'Devastating'

Abram Paley, the Deputy Special Envoy of the United States for Iran, announced on Saturday morning, November 6, via a post on social media platform 'X', that he is mourning the loss of Armita, a young girl who was attacked for not wearing a hijab in the Tehran metro earlier this month and has reportedly died. This senior American diplomat further noted: 'The state-sponsored violence against women and girls in Iran has been devastating for many families both inside and outside of Iran.' In this context, Annalena Baerbock, the German Foreign Minister, wrote on social media 'X': 'Armita Garavand was only 16 years old. A child, a student, her whole life was still ahead of her. The regime's brutality robbed her of her future.' The German Foreign Minister added: 'The future of Iran belongs to its youth. The future of Iran belongs to its women. The regime cannot suppress their desire for freedom.' Hannah Neumann, a German Member of the European Parliament, stated on social media 'X': 'Armita Garavand has died. She was killed because an Islamist regime thinks it is acceptable to send children into a coma for not wearing a hijab. Mahsa Amini, Nika Shakeri, Armita Garavand, and many others are gone. A regime that betrays its youngest citizens has no future.' In another post, Hannah Neumann said: 'The regime wanted to choose a moment to announce her death when global attention is focused elsewhere. Let's ensure that [Islamic Republic officials] do not escape accountability for this.' The news of Armita Garavand's death received widespread coverage in global media, including Reuters, Associated Press, France, Deutsche Welle, and newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Guardian. Additionally, human rights organizations and Iranian civil and labor activists have pointed fingers at the Islamic Republic, referencing the incident of Armita's injury and decades of repression against Iranian women and girls. Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old girl, was attacked on the morning of Mehr 9, 1402 (October 1, 2023), while heading to school at the 'Shahada Square' metro station in Tehran for not wearing a hijab and adhering to the government's mandatory hijab laws. Inside the train car, she was attacked by a 'morality police' officer, who pushed her, causing her head to hit the edge of the train door, and she fell into a coma after losing consciousness. The British newspaper 'The Guardian' published statements from two witnesses on Mehr 13, stating that as soon as Armita entered the metro car, a woman enforcing the mandatory hijab began to argue with her because Armita, a 16-year-old girl, was not wearing a headscarf. One witness told the newspaper that when Armita fell to the ground, she was still conscious. Amnesty International had previously stated that based on published reports and multiple pieces of evidence regarding the secrecy of the Islamic Republic officials in this matter, Armita Garavand fell into a coma after being attacked by a mandatory hijab officer. Hengaw: Security agencies are not allowing Armita's body to be transferred to Kermanshah. Amnesty International expressed concern over reports about Armita Garavand's 'critical condition.' The Islamic Republic newspaper claimed: 'Armita Garavand's brain death is confirmed.' The Hengaw human rights organization reported: 'Armita Garavand remains in a coma.' State news agency reported: 'Armita Garavand's vital signs have deteriorated.' Continuing the policy of non-transparent information dissemination | Armita Garavand's banner in the streets; citizens: Tehran is in a coma. American officials express concern over Armita Garavand's physical condition; security pressures on family and acquaintances continue. Amnesty International called for an independent international investigation into Armita Garavand's condition.