Authoritarianism

Human Rights Watch ) – (Beirut) – Iranian security forces using unlawful lethal force, killed and wounded several dozen protesters in Zahedan on September 30, 2022, killing the most people during the protests on a day being called “Bloody Friday,” Human Rights Watch said today. The newly established United Nations fact-finding mission on Iran should […]

Authoritarianism

Families Of Slain Iranian Protesters Mark End Of Mourning Period With Defiance

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Ardeshir Tayebi/ Radio Farda | – ( RFE/RL ) – The families of the victims of the recent nationwide protests in Iran have staged protests amid ceremonies marking the 40th day since the death of 10 protesters across the country. With police standing nearby in the southern Iranian city of Shiraz on December 22, […]

Authoritarianism

How Female Iranian Activists use powerful Images to Protest oppressive Policies

The Conversation

By Parichehr Kazemi, PhD Candidate, University of Oregon | – (The Conversation) – Images of unveiled Iranian women and adolescent girls standing atop police cars or flipping off the ayatollah’s picture have become signature demonstrations of dissent in the past few months of protest in Iran. Mass protests in Iran over death of Mahsa Amini […]

Algeria

Why Algeria’s Coup and Civil War Should Alarm Americans about Trumpism, Whether he is Convicted or Not

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Donald Trump’s attempted coup on Jan. 6, for which he has now been referred to the Department of Justice on sedition and other charges by the January 6 Committee of the House, evoked in me a powerful feeling of déjà vu. It reminded me of Algeria 1991. Algeria had been […]

Authoritarianism

Iran: Till Death Do us Part

Fariba Amini

Revised 12/21/22. Within a. period of 4 months this year, I lost both my mother and oldest brother. The sense of loss has been enormous. Yet beyond my own grieving, I think every day about the hundreds of young people who have lost their lives in Iran. There is naturally no comparison. I remember that, […]

Authoritarianism

Iranian State Arrests Popular Actress Taraneh Alidoosti, star of Academy-Award-Winning Film, for Protesting Executions

Juan Cole

Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Iranian authorities arrested renowned actress Taraneh Alidoosti, 38, on Saturday for an Instagram post in which she denounced the execution last week of the first of this fall’s protesters to be put to death by the Iranian government. Her instagram account, which had 8 million followers, has been suspended. She […]

Authoritarianism

Iran: dissent by public figures has amplified the protest across the country – and the world

The Conversation

By Roja Fazaeli, Trinity College Dublin | – Iran’s Islamic Republic continues to violently suppress ongoing pro-democracy protests, which broke out in September in response to the killing of a young woman who had been arrested for not wearing a proper head covering. According to the NGO Iran Human Rights at least 458 protesters have […]

Authoritarianism

Why Istanbul’s mayor was sentenced to jail – and what it means for Turkey’s 2023 presidential race

The Conversation

By Ahmet T. Kuru, San Diego State University | – A Turkish court’s decision on Dec. 14, 2022, to jail Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu for two years and seven months for insulting public officials hung on comments he made three years ago. But its impact will be felt on an event taking place in a […]

Authoritarianism

Iran’s Executions Of Protesters Triggers Public Outrage, Draws Criticism From Clerics

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty

By Hannah Kaviani I’m Hannah Kaviani, a senior broadcaster and editor at RFE/RL’s Radio Farda. Here’s what I’ve been following and what I’m watching out for in the days ahead. ( RFE/ RL ) – Iran has publicly executed two young men over their involvement in the ongoing antiestablishment protests that have rocked the country […]