Iranian women are cutting off their hair to protest against the death of Mahsa Amini

Iranian women are sharing videos of themselves cutting their hair to protest the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, who died on Friday (16 September) after spending three days in a coma. 

Amini was visiting Tehran, the capital of Iran, to visit her family when she was arrested by the Gasht-e Ershad (Guidance Patrols), also known as Iran’s so-called “morality police.” Under Iranian law, which is enforced by these special police units, women must cover their hair and neck with a hijab. 

It’s understood that Iran’s morality police accused Mahsa Amini of violating this law, before arresting her and taking her to a detention centre to be “educated.” While in custody, Amini collapsed and was taken to hospital, where she later died. There are reports that witnesses saw Amini being beaten in the head with a baton. Tehran Police attributed her death to “sudden heart failure,” however, her father told an Iranian news outlet that Amini was “fit and had no health problems” (per BBC News).

Greater Tehran Police Commander Hossein has denied that Amini suffered any harm at the hands of the Gasht-e Ershad, telling reporters on Monday, “The evidence shows that there was no negligence or inappropriate behaviour on the part of the police.”

Since Amini’s death, protests have erupted across Iran, with women posting TikToks of them cutting their hair, burning their hijabs in public, and shouting, “Women, life, freedom” during flash protests. 

One TikTok appears to show women dancing and burning their hijabs in the street, surrounded by protestors (men and women) cheering them on. Another video shows a compilation of women and men cutting their hair, with the overlaid text reading, “Iranian people are cutting their hair to protest the killing of a 22-year-old girl Mahsa Amini by the police in Iran [because] of the hijab.” 

A video of the protests in Tehran also showed women waving their hijabs in the air, with some chanting, “No to the headscarf, no to the turban, yes to freedom and equality!”

It’s estimated that nine people have been killed during the protests, including a 16-year-old boy who was reportedly shot dead after security forces opened fire on protesters (via BBC News). The protests are happening across Iran, including Isfahan, Karaj, Mashhad, Rasht, Saqqes and Sanandaj (per the United Nations). 

On Tuesday, 20 September, Nada Al-Nashif, Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressed alarm over the death of Mahsa Amini and called for mandatory hijab rules to be repealed: 

“Mahsa Amini’s tragic death and allegations of torture and ill-treatment must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated by an independent competent authority, that ensures, in particular, that her family has access to justice and truth.

“The authorities must stop targeting, harassing, and detaining women who do not abide by the hijab rules.”

Our thoughts are with Amini’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.

For more from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.