Student protests in Iranian universities have significantly increased these days despite the Islamic Republic's severe efforts to suppress student activists and silence the voices of academics. On Tuesday, November 3rd, a group of students from the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Tehran staged a sit-in at the office of the faculty's presidency in protest against recent pressures on students and the issuance of disciplinary rulings.
Student Sit-in at the University of Tehran
The protesting students expressed their objection to the current conditions, demanding the release of political prisoners and detained students. They also called for a halt to the issuance and enforcement of disciplinary rulings and accountability from the university administration regarding the safety and well-being of students. The students, holding placards, chanted slogans such as "Imprisoned students must be freed" and "Women, Life, Freedom; optional hijab." This gathering reflects the determination and will of a new generation of students to defend their rights and fight against tyranny.
Security Pressures and Summoning of Students
Following these developments, the "United Students" newsletter reported that security agencies and the university security at Zanjan University have increased pressure on members of a student channel after failing to identify its operators. Security officials have sent text messages and threats, prohibiting students from participating in this channel and warning them that failure to comply will result in legal consequences.
Additionally, in Fars Province, videos circulating on social media show a group of students from the National University of Skills in Shiraz gathering in protest against the poor quality of the university cafeteria food, demanding healthy and quality food. This gathering actually reveals the deep dissatisfaction of students with the inadequate conditions at universities.
Summoning and Interrogation of Students in Sistan and Baluchestan
The Halosh news agency has also reported the summoning and interrogation of dozens of students from the University of Sistan and Baluchestan by the intelligence department of the province. In these summons, students have been accused of "leadership" and "creating disturbances at the university" and have been pressured to provide forced confessions. These pressures have led to the academic suspension of some students for two semesters.
The U.S. Department of State has pointed out the severe repressions of the Islamic Republic in universities in its human rights reports, considering the arrest of student activists and the pressure on teachers and professors as examples of these repressions. This department has also criticized and sanctioned the officials of the Islamic Republic for levying charges related to "national security" against students and other critics.
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