EU Lawmaker Accuses Josep Borrell Of Not Offering Support To Protesters In Iran

 

A European lawmaker accused Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU (European Union) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, of not offering support to protesters in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The Iraqi-born Swedish Member of Parliament, Abir Al-Sahlani, also chopped off her hair during a debate in the European Union Parliament to extend support to Iranian women. She said that she wanted to give a message to Iranian women that they have a voice in the European Parliament.

According to ANI, Sahlani criticized Borrell for not offering support to protesters in Iran and called him a "spineless coward." She said that three weeks of continuous courage have been shown by Iranian women during protests.

Massive protests erupted in Iran after an Iranian-Kurdish woman, Mahsa Amini, 22, died in custody after being arrested by Iran's "morality police" in Tehran, the capital of Iran, on September 13, for allegedly violating the strict dress code that requires women to cover her hair with Hijab. The woman fell into a coma shortly after collapsing at a detention centre. Three days later, she was pronounced dead. Human rights activists and witnesses claimed that she was allegedly arrested for loosely wearing a Hijab.

After her funeral ceremony, the Iranian women protesters shared videos on social media, where they could be seen cutting their hair and burning hijabs to demonstrate opposition to Amini's death.

Since her death, thousands have joined antigovernmental and anti-hijab demonstrations across Iran. According to Iran Human Rights (IHR), a non-profit human rights organization, Iranian security forces have responded to protests with live ammunition. IHR also said that many people have been killed, injured and detained in the protests. The group claimed that at least 154 people, including children and women, have been killed in the nationwide protests in the country.