PARIS: Hundreds of demonstrators marched through Paris on Sunday to mark the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death and to show solidarity with women’s rights activists and the opposition in Iran. The march, organized by approximately 20 human rights associations, was held to honor Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who died in custody after being arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s stringent dress code for women.
The protest took place as 34 women in Tehran began a hunger strike to commemorate the anniversary of Amini’s death. Chirinne Ardakani, a Franco-Iranian lawyer and member of the “Iran Justice” collective, addressed the crowd, emphasizing that the “sacrifices” made by Iranians opposing the regime were not in vain. “Everything has changed in Iran,” Ardakani remarked, noting the shift from a repressive culture to one of substantial support for women’s rights.
The Paris march was also a show of solidarity with the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement. It was attended by Benjamin Briere and Louis Arnaud, two French nationals who had been arrested and detained in Iran. Their detentions were seen by French diplomats as acts of using individuals as “state hostages” in diplomatic negotiations. Briere was released in May 2023, and Arnaud was freed the following month. In his first public address since his release, Arnaud expressed his honor at having shared his suffering with fellow freedom fighters.
Despite the international outcry, Iran’s leadership responded harshly to the widespread protests that erupted following Amini’s death. Amnesty International reported that security forces used assault rifles and shotguns to suppress the demonstrations. Human rights groups estimate that at least 551 people were killed, with thousands more arrested, according to the United Nations.
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