Mahsa Amini: Hundreds join Perth rally for Iran woman killed after being detained by country’s morality police

Hundreds have rallied in Perth in solidarity with the people of Iran, after mass protests erupted over the death in custody of a woman detained by the country’s morality police.

Mahsa Amini, 22, was arrested on September 13 for wearing her head scarf too loosely and fell into a coma in custody, dying three days later.

Iranian authorities claim she had a heart attack, but her family deny she had any health conditions and say she was beaten to death.

In Perth’s Forrest Chase on Sunday up to 400 people gathered, with many bearing signs including “No to forced hijab” and “Down with dictator”, as well as chants such as “Women want freedom” and “Free, free Iran”.

Tara - who did not wish to give her surname - left Iran 10 years ago due to oppression and said she hoped protests around the world would spread awareness.

“Coming here today was the least we could do as the women in Iran are risking their lives,” she said.

“Women have been struggling for 40 years and they don’t have a voice.

“I think this is a chance to finally let others know. It’s every single government’s responsibility to talk about what’s happening.”

There has been significant anti-government unrest over the death of Ms Amini. According to a tally by The Associated Press, at least 11 people have been killed since protests began earlier this month after her funeral.

State media has said the toll could be as high as 35.

Tara believed that if similar police violence was unfolding in Europe, there would be a stronger response from the rest of the world.

“People see this happening in the Middle East and think ‘it’s normal’,” she said.

“They are killing hundreds of people and no-one talks about it.

“The pressure that is on Russia needs to be on Iran.”

Tara’s friend Maria also left Iran a decade ago and said there was “no freedom of speech”.

One of the event organisers, Mehdi Ghatei, said he hoped the protests would elevate the voice of women in Iran.

“People have been protesting against the regime for many years,” Mr Ghatei said.

“People are saying enough is enough.

“What we are trying to do is be their voice and tell the media what is happening now.”

Mr Ghatei said in speaking out he feared for his safety and had received threatening messages from supporters of the regime living in Australia.

“If I go back to Iran I would be arrested. Even in Perth there are some people sending messages threatening me,” he said.

Another protester, Saba, said she spent her 20s looking for a way to get out of Iran.

“Iranian women don’t have any rights in Iran,” she said.

“The Islamic Republic tries to show the world that the people are happy. Now it’s time to tell the world that it’s just a dictatorship.”

Mira did not wish to give her surname for fear of retaliation from Iranian government supporters.

She said women in Iran “want to be free”.

“Scarf or no scarf, it should be our option, not the government’s,” Mira said.