IRAN – Iran’s president, Ebrahim Raisi, has said that there must be a “steadfast” investigation into the death of Mahsa Amini. While in the U.S. for the U.N. General Assembly Raisi told a news conference “I contacted her family at the very first opportunity and I assured them we would continue steadfastly to investigate that incident.”
The 22-year-old woman from Iran’s Kurdistan province died while in police custody last week after being arrested for reportedly wearing her hijab incorrectly and showing her hair. Women in Iran must follow a strict dress code, which includes the mandatory wearing of a hijab.
While authorities say that Amini died after suffering a heart attack, her family has said that she was in good health and they believe she died due to police brutality.
World Leaders Speak Out Following Amini’s Death
Across Iran and around the world, protests have broken out in response to Amini’s death, with global and Canadian leaders alike standing in solidarity with Mahsa’s family and Iranian women.
“What happened to Mahsa Amini while in Iranian custody was abhorrent. Our government has called for a full and transparent investigation into her death and urged Iran to end all forms of harassment and discrimination against women,” Marci Ien, Canada’s Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth said in a statement to The Brandon Gonez Show.
“Women should not have to live in fear of violence and discrimination anywhere. I stand in solidarity with Iranians and women around the world who are rightfully denouncing this heinous crime and exercising their right to peaceful protest,” Ien continued.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also spoken out about Amini’s death.
“Canada strongly supports people who are expressing themselves and protesting peacefully in Iran. We are calling on the Iranian regime to end its repression of freedom of expression – and to end the ongoing harassment of, and discrimination against, women,” Trudeau tweeted.
As protests for Mahsa Amini continue, women in Iran are removing their hijabs and even burning them in solidarity. The world will continue to watch as Muslim women and their global allies seek justice for Amini’s death.
