The protests in Iran began last December on the streets and were violently suppressed at the time. According to the Iranian-American human rights organisation HRANA, the death toll has risen to over seven thousand. Other sources even speak of more than thirty thousand deaths.
Last Saturday, universities in Iran reopened after more than a month. Large protests immediately broke out at various universities, particularly in the capital Tehran. At Amirkabir University of Technology, Sharif University of Technology and Al-Zahraa University, among others, slogans such as “Down with the dictator” were heard. Students wore black clothing as a sign of mourning for those who had died.
“When the protests began on the streets at the end of December, demonstrations immediately broke out on campus as well,” says Jafari, who came to the Netherlands as a refugee from Iran. He is an assistant professor of history and international relations at William & Mary in the United States and affiliated with the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam.
“The authorities immediately shut down the universities and all teaching had to move fully online. Three days ago, they were allowed to reopen. Students immediately seized this moment to protest.”
Why are we seeing a wave of protest specifically at universities? “That has to do with a long tradition. It started back in 1953, when students in Tehran protested against the visit of Richard Nixon, then Vice President of the United States, shortly after the coup by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. Three students were killed. From that moment on, universities have become a kind of bastion of freedom. Whenever there are protests in the streets, they also take place at universities.”
Why now? “There are two main reasons. First, the situation in Iran also directly affects students. Their freedom is being curtailed at universities. In addition, Iranian students have always been engaged with the country’s politics. They’ve often expressed solidarity with other protests. We’re seeing that again now.”
“Earlier, dozens of students and school pupils were killed during the national protests. We don’t know the exact numbers. Raha Bohloulipour, for example, a student of Italian language and literature at the University of Tehran, was killed in early January during a protest in Tehran, where security forces opened fire on protesters. Her fellow students have now hung a large photograph of her at the university and sang songs for her.”
What drives these students to keep taking to the streets despite extreme violence? “Courage and determination. It starts with a small group that gives other students the courage to join. The mood has shifted, among everyone and certainly among students: we don’t want to go back to square one. There must be fundamental change in Iran.”
“The slogans are often the same as those heard in the streets: down with the dictator. But students also consider broader issues and are concerned about matters such as social inequality in the country, for example. They also have a strong network. They know each other, sometimes attend the same classes or belong to the same clubs. That makes it easier for them to mobilise.”
Could the student protests at universities give new impetus to the national protests in Iran? “It’s possible. But we have also seen significant repression; more than seven thousand deaths have been documented. There is widespread fear of participating in protests.Yet the anger is still there. It could certainly spread to other groups. However, now that the United States is threatening the country with war, many people are waiting to see what happens.”
“On campuses, clashes between supporters of the regime – a relatively small group that often enjoys more privileges – and opponents are on the rise. Tensions are running high. One or two universities have since closed their doors again.”
“That’s precisely why it’s important that we don’t remain silent. As university lecturers, we can express solidarity with our colleagues in Iran. Student unions can speak out publicly in support of the protesting students there. And in the Netherlands, we can offer a safe place to Iranian students who are studying here. Even something as small as this is an important act of solidarity.”