Frank van Mil

Update: The authorities in Iran are now claiming that a young woman, who courageously removed her clothes in protest against harassment by the morality, police at her university, suffers from psychological illness and has been admitted to a mental health hospital. This accusation of mental instability is a familiar tactic by the Islamic Republic. In 2014, when I launched the My Stealthy Freedom campaign against compulsory hijab, the regime used similar lies against me, claiming I had a mental breakdown, undressed myself on the London subway and was raped by three men. This is how they attempt to undermine those who resist their oppression. One student who witnessed the entire incident says: “On Saturday, November 2, we saw the university’s security and Basij forces trying to forcibly drag a female student into the security room, under the pretext of her not wearing a proper hijab. She resisted, and in the struggle, her hoodie was pulled off, leaving her with only her undergarments underneath. Shocked, the security officers let her go, after which, in a moment of rage, she removed her pants and threw them at the officers.” This eyewitness account directly contradicts the regime’s narrative and shows the extent of brutality Iranian women face for the most basic acts of defiance. This woman has been forcibly hospitalized under psychiatric supervision—marking the start of torture and, soon after, the cycle of forced confessions. I believe her life is now in serious danger. I urge international media, human rights organizations, and the international community to support her before is too late. Let’s be her voice.