Iran’s misogynist rule to subjugate society

The Iranian prosecutor of Tehran Pardice region announced last night that 89 people were arrested for organizing a dancing party. The organizers had invited friends of mixed gender through internet means such as Viber, WhatsApp, Tango and etc.

The Iranian authorities do not tolerate any party and gathering particularly if it is of mixed since it involves females. Iran’s Islamic fundamentalism is known for its misogynist rules and suppression of women. In the heart of Islamic fundamentalism for controlling the behavior of society is subjugation of women: if women are liberated it is impossible to control an Islamic society, and if women are subjugated the Islamic society is under control.

This misogynist idea by Iranian rulers has backlashed by Iranian women and has placed them at the forefront of the fight for liberty in Iran. For instance, On 5 May, State Security Forces (SSF) raided the home of Ms. Narges Mohammadi, human rights activist and spokeswoman for the association of human rights activists, and arrested her. Members of Ms. Mohammadi’s family and a group of mothers of martyrs of the 2009 uprising, and human rights activists, after hearing the news about this arrest, immediately staged a protest outside Evin Prison and called for her release. A week after her arrest she has yet to be informed of why she has been detained.

Mohmmadi’s health has severely deteriorated since prison authorities have refused to provide her with the necessary medication. Reporters without Borders issued a statement on 5 May saying, “Reporters without Borders firmly condemns the arrest of Narges Mohammadi.” Amnesty International issued an Urgent Report statement on 7 May stating, “RELEASE JAILED IRANIAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER

Other human rights activist Neda Mostaghimi, a supporter of the ‘Mothers of Laleh Park’ movement in Tehran, was arrested at her office by security agents on May 4 and there has been no information of her whereabouts since.

Negar Haeri, jurist and former political prisoner of Gharchak Varamin Prison, was summoned to Evin Prison’s prosecutor office and arrested last week. The guards transferred her to ward 209 belonging to the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence branch. Her brother Soheil Heri, a member of the MEK living in exile in Camp Liberty in Iraq said today that her sister was arrested for fourth times because as a lawyer she is investigating the persecution of women inside Iranian regime’s prisons.

Atena Daemi, a civil rights and child rights activist who has been in Evin Prison since 21 October 2014, has now been condemned to 7 years behind bars. The charges raised against her are propaganda against the state, assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security, insulting the leader and sanctities.

The Guardian and other media have reported this week on another arrest of a woman artist in Iran,  Atena Farghadani. She is a painter and women’s rights campaigner. She is arrested on charges of spreading propaganda against the ruling establishment.

Atena Farghadani, who has spoken out against parliamentary plans to restrict access to contraception, appeared in court on Tuesday in connection with her activism as well as her art. The 29-year-old, described by Amnesty as a prisoner of conscience, is currently being kept in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison. Atena Farghadani, 29, is accused of insulting members of parliament.

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