Schoolgirl Killed by Iranian Security Forces

Iranian security forces have killed another schoolgirl for removing images of the founder of the Islamic Republic from her schoolbooks.

The girl was called Parmis Hamnava and attended Parvin Etesami secondary school in Iranshahr at the time of her death, according to Halwash news agency and Baloch Activists' Campaign, which monitors human rights violations in the Balochistan region. 

Hamnava suffered a nosebleed at school after being severely beaten by security forces when they noticed her books were missing images of the Islamic Republic’s founder. She died the following day in hospital. Intelligence agencies have threatened her family and friends not to disclose her death to the media, Halwash reported.

The death last month of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Tehran’s morality police has triggered a wave of nationwide demonstrations against Iran’s clerical establishment.

Girls across Iran have joined the nationwide protests in recent days, leading to clashes with teachers and ultimately security forces, who have arrested some they suspect of having taken part in demonstrations. 

Schoolgirls apparently pose a major challenge to the political establishment in Tehran. Security and intelligence agencies are now considering how to suppress crowds of children calling for their freedom as they join the biggest demonstrations in Iran since 2019.

Despite internet restrictions designed to prevent gatherings and stop images of the protests being spread, protesters have found new ways to get their message across and to share footage with the outside world.  This has led to global condemnation of the regime’s brutal suppression.

Security services have unleashed a fierce response on the mainly peaceful protests, during which at least 253 people have been killed, including 34 children.