Let Me Demonstrate
Yesterday marked the 31st anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, which is why human rights activists chose that day to stage peaceful rallies in protest of the Iranian government’s continued human rights violations.
One example of these ongoing human rights violations was the “shocking” executions (hanging) of Mohammad Reza Ali-Zamani and Arash Rahmanipour.
In response to the peaceful demonstrations, the Iranian government decided to stage their own type of demonstration. The internet was brought to a halt, while text messaging was crippled. It makes perfect, logical sense if you don’t want protesters to be able to communicate with one another. And how are people supposed to buzz their status updates if Gmail has been permanently suspended?
Blocking communications wasn’t the government’s only demonstration as Democracy Now! reported that “prominent figures” have been arrested in addition to government forces “preventing opposition rallies.”
The Iranian government’s idea of a demonstration is instilling fear to those who have the courage to voice a different opinion. Leaders can demonstrate that they have respect for human rights by not curbing dissident opinions.
