Some 80,000 Iranians and their supporters marched in Berlin on Saturday, in one of the biggest rallies by the Iranian diaspora in solidarity with ongoing protests.
The protests in Iran were triggered by the death of a young woman in police custody. Mahsa Amini, 22, died after being arrested by morality police in Tehran on 13 September for allegedly wearing her headscarf too loosely.
Police denied reports that she was beaten on the head with a baton and said she suffered a heart attack.
Amini’s death catalyzed six weeks of demonstrations by Iranian women against the mandatory wearing of headscarves, which they see as a symbol of oppression. The slogan of the protesters has been “Women, Life and Liberty!”
On Saturday, rallies were held in several world capitals including Washington, where thousands turned out.
The rally in Berlin was one of the biggest held by the Iranian diaspora in solidarity with the protesters at home. Chanting “Women, Life and Liberty!”, Iranians from across Europe came together to show their support.
In Iran itself, the protests have entered a sixth week with no end in sight. The demonstrators are calling for an end to the mandatory wearing of headscarves, as well as an end to the Islamic Republic itself. The regime has responded with a heavy-handed crackdown, arresting hundreds of people and using violence against those who take to the streets.
The international community has been largely silent on the issue, but there are signs that that may be changing. In recent days, both Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron have spoken out in support of the protesters. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to any concrete action, but it is clear that the world is watching closely as the situation in Iran unfolds.
The rally in Berlin is one of many being held around the world in solidarity with the protesters in Iran.
