Stop Police Violence

I can't stop thinking about nasty police violence against Iranian women which happened today, Monday, June 12, when women activists gathered in Tehran to demand their equal rights, including equality of women in family law, the banning of polygamy and the reform of employment laws.

Although the protest organizers have been emphasized on the peaceful march and also some of international organizations such as Amnesty International has called for action to reduce police violence against the meeting, police mostly female police officers had done evident violence against female protestors in their enforcement to interrupt the demonstration. Amnesty International has asked before Iranian authorities to ensure that the policing of the meeting would be in agreement with international standards on law enforcement such as the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and should respect the internationally recognized rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

It was not first time when police conducted violence against women in their peaceful assembly, before on 8 March 2006, police separated a gathering of women celebrating International Women's Day in Tehran and beating some of them.

I am feeling deeply bad about today's horrible event. I hope Iranian authorities release soon more than 50 demonstrators and develop strong policies for prohibition of violence in policing.




See more pictures at KOSOF and aslo Nasiri Photos