Since 1979, Iran has been a dystopia. After 40 years of tyrannical rule, the Iranian Gen Z population is leading the fight against the Islamic Republic regime. They stand in front of the bullets, raising their voice for freedom.
It is time for the international community to stand with the Iranian people and declare the Islamic Republic an illegitimate regime. The Islamic Republic has no righteous dominion over Iran; they do not represent the Iranians; they have occupied the land. The Iranian people have challenged them many times in the past 40 years, and the world must stand with them.
The murder of Ms. Mahsa Amini, 22, by the regime’s “morality police” in the past week sparked a massive nationwide protest, becoming one of the most visible challenges to the government in recent years. Mahsa was visiting Tehran with her family from her home in the northwestern province of Kurdistan. During her visit, the “morality police” that enforces the country’s compulsory hijab rules arrested and accused her of “violating the hijab law.” They took her into a police van by force. A few hours later, her family was informed that she was at the hospital, declared brain dead. Her medical records showed severe brain damage and evidence that the police beat her to death while she was in their custody.
Mahsa’s death is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Protests have erupted in cities across Iran. At least seven protestors, and potentially dozens more according to The Guardian, have been killed by the regime over the past week. Internet and cell phone services have been limited to stifle the circulation of information. This is unacceptable.
The hardliner Shia clerics took power in 1979 following a revolution deposing Mohammadreza Pahlavi, the late Shah of Iran. Ever since Iran has been ruled by one of the most oppressive governments in the world. The Islamic Republic regime’s primary goal has been maintaining autonomy over the oil-rich nation by any means possible. They have not shied away from committing some of the worst crimes against humanity domestically and internationally. The Islamic Republic has committed mass murders, mutilations, and torturing of the Iranian people.
In the past 40 years, the Iranian people have witnessed nothing but death, destruction, and economic hardships. In Iran, nobody is safe from the government’s intrusions on their life, liberty, and property. The Islamic Regime’s biggest victims have been women, stripped of their fundamental human rights. For example, Iranian women are not allowed to show their hair in public; they cannot sing or perform music, and they are unable to pursue many occupations in society, such as being judges or public officials. Now, they are raising their voices against the government, fighting for liberty and freedom.
The United States government must ask its allies to denounce the Islamic Republic government as soon as possible. Our allies must close the Islamic Republic’s embassies and deport diplomats and sympathizers. The Biden administration must now stand with the Iranian people and walk away from the nuclear deal.
Americans who want to help should call their representatives in Congress and ask them to facilitate passing resolutions to support these goals. Additionally, the Security Council of the United Nations must recommend the General Assembly remove the Islamic Republic from the organization because the regime has persistently violated the principles of the U.N. Charter.
If you were born a few thousand miles away, in my home country Iran, the Islamic Republic police would kill you for living your current lifestyle. A member of my generation, an innocent, beautiful young woman with many hopes and dreams, is now in a cold grave. The Iranian people will not tolerate the tyranny of the Mullahs, and neither should you.
Tahmineh Dehbozorgi is a columnist for the Southern California News Group and a student at the George Washington University Law School. Follow her on Twitter @DeTahmineh.
