Three Schoolgirls Arrested for Poison Attacks on Schools in Shiraz

Three schoolgirls, Erfaneh Honar, Setayesh Darougheh, and Setayesh Amiri, have been arrested for serial poison attacks in Shiraz. These minors are being held in the quarantine section of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in recent days, three school girls were arrested over poison attacks on schools in Shiraz.

An informed source told HRANA, “They were arrested in recent days, although the exact date of their arrest is unknown. These three young girls are currently being held in the quarantine section of Adelabad Prison without access to phone calls or family visitation.”

Although the specific allegations against them are unknown, it is worth noting that in recent months, security and judicial institutions have attempted to deflect blame onto opposition groups or even to scapegoat students.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

Over 100 Schoolgirls Hospitalized following Poison Attacks; Several Parents Arrested at Protests

On April 9, 2022, six schools in Saqqez, Kurdistan Province, were targeted by poison attacks, resulting in over 100 schoolgirls being hospitalized. Additionally, security forces arrested several parents who were protesting the attacks.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, on April 9, 2022, more than 100 schoolgirls fell ill due to the poison attacks. Among them, 24 are in critical condition.

Security forces used tear gas to disperse the parents who had gathered outside these schools. The report did not provide information on the number of arrested parents or their detained location.

This incident is part of a larger trend of serial poison attacks on schools with toxic gas in Iran, primarily targeting girls’ schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.

Statistical Report on Recent Poison Attacks on Schools

Over the past few months, there have been disturbing reports of serial poison attacks on schools with toxic gas across Iran, mainly targeting girls’ schools. Recent statistics reveal that between November 22, 2022, and March 8, 2023, at least 297 schools and educational institutions reported incidents of poisoning involving their students. These included 113 high schools, 38 elementary schools, 23 middle schools, and 2 student dormitories, with the level of education unspecified in 121 cases.

Targets of Poison Attacks

The gender composition of affected educational institutions is also alarming. There were 224 girls’ schools, 18 boys’ schools, and 4 mixed schools out of the 246 cases in which the gender of the students was determined. These numbers indicate that female students are targeted at a significantly higher rate than male students.
For only 103 incidents, schools or officials specified the number of affected students, which amounts to 7168.

Poisoned Students’ Gender

The attacks have been reported in at least 103 cities across 29 provinces, with Tehran province recording the highest number of incidents with 33, followed by Qom province with 28 and Ardabil province with 26. Families and human rights activists are concerned about the safety of students and the possibility of additional attacks in light of these incidents.

In response to these incidents, there have been forty-five protests in thirty-two cities. Unfortunately, security forces cracked down on these demonstrations and arrested at least eleven protesters. Yesterday, 27 protest gatherings were held nationwide, and 9 people were arrested. Two individuals were released a few hours after their arrests.

As of the time this report was compiled, below is a map depicting the distribution of these attacks.

The serial poisoning of predominantly schoolgirls has prompted inquiries into the motivations behind these attacks. There is speculation that the attacks are the result of discrimination based on gender, but no one has claimed responsibility for the incidents. The Iranian government has pledged to prevent future attacks and bring those responsible to justice.

Teachers and Other Citizens Stage Nationwide Rallies against Poison Attacks on School Students

On March 7, 2023, following mounting serial poison attacks with toxic gas on school students in dozens of schools across Iran, the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations (CCITTA), called for protests. In response to this call, teachers, educators, parents of poisoned students and other citizens rallied before the Ministry of Education headquarters in at least 25 cities. Also, the students held similar protests at Allameh Tabataba’i University in Tehran and the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

The protestors demanded maintaining security for students against the recent chemical attacks on schools. The protesting teachers also asked for teacher’s union demands including the implementation of the “Job Ranking Plan” as passed in Iran’s parliament, closing pension disparities, adjusting the pension with inflation, updating lesson plans and materials, the release of jailed teachers, and stopping the State TV’s smear campaign to divide between teachers and people.

During these protests, several teachers including Golamreza Gholami Kondazi and Mohammad-Ali Zahmatkesh in Shiraz, Baha Maleki and Rahman Abedini in Sanadaj and several students’ parents in Karaj were arrested by security forces. Maleki and Abedini are still in detention, and the rest were released after a few hours.

Moreover, according to CCITTA, security forces injured two protesting teachers with air guns in Sanandaj.

On the same day, several families of death-row prisoners gathered before Ghezel Hesar prison in Karaj to demand halting executions. At present, in this prison, at least seven inmates convicted of drug-related crimes are in danger of imminent execution.

The videos below show these protests in several cities:

Gezel-Hesar Prison, Karaj, the protest of death-row prisoners’ families

Sanandaj

Mashhad

Babol

Karaj

Shiraz

Qazvin

Saqqez

Sari

Ahvaz

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Allameh Tabataba’i University

Other Cities

Report on the Situation of Women in Iran for International Women’s Day

Iran is a country in which women’s rights are severely restricted. Women continue to face numerous challenges and obstacles, and despite the advances made in recent years, women in Iran are still struggling to achieve equality and basic rights. The following statistical information highlights the current situation of women in Iran, which is alarming.

In the reporting period (March 2022 – March 2023), 327 women were arrested for reasons directly related to the suppression of women’s rights. These arrests indicate that the government is cracking down on women’s rights activists and those advocating for gender equality. The arrests serve as a warning to others who may wish to speak out against the oppression of women.

During the protests from Sep 2022 to Mar 2023, at least 3,953 women were arrested, of which 1,019 were identified by Hrana,160 of them were female university students. It is estimated that at least 66 women were killed in Iran during the protests. These numbers show that women are not only being targeted for their activism, but also for their participation in peaceful protests. The arbitrary arrests and detentions of women demonstrate that the government is willing to use excessive force to silence dissent.

In the same period, at least 2,003 women were reprimanded in different ways, including being summoned to police authorities, due to the improper wearing of the hijab. The mandatory hijab law in Iran is a clear violation of women’s rights and freedom of expression. The fact that women are being punished for not adhering to the hijab law indicates that the government is imposing its religious beliefs on its citizens.

At least 15 women and 7 men were killed for “honor” reasons. “Honor” killings are a brutal practice in which women are murdered by their family members for bringing “dishonor” to their family. This practice is not only a violation of women’s rights, but the practice also serves as a grave violation of human rights and the right to life.

In this period, at least 14 female death-row inmates were executed in different prisons and two women received the death penalty.

In the reporting period, 92 cases of closure of guilds and organizations have been reported due to non-observance of hijab by the owner or staff. In this case, 62 reports of discrimination in social environments were reported due to women’s gender. The closure of businesses and organizations due to non-observance of hijab laws is not only discriminatory but also negatively impacts the economic opportunities available to women.

In the same period, 38 cases involving the murder of women and 14 cases of a severe beating, which were rooted in domestic violence, were reported. Domestic violence against women is a pervasive issue in Iran, and it is often considered a private matter. The lack of laws to protect women from domestic violence means that women are vulnerable to abuse and violence from their partners or family members.

At least 12 cases of suicide, 4 of which were self-immolation, were reported due to the lack of guaranteeing equal laws by the government. Things like the difficulty of divorce by women or loss of custody of children were among these reasons. The lack of legal protections for women in Iran makes it difficult for them to escape abusive situations, and the consequences can be fatal.

During the time period covered by this report, poisonous substances were used in organized attacks on schools, which primarily targeted girls’ schools. Since the beginning of December 2022, at least 290 attacks on schools affecting at least 7,060 students have been reported. This number of affected students is exclusive to the 103 schools that have reported data in this regard.

These attacks have been documented in at least 99 cities across 28 provinces. The day with the highest number of recorded attacks was March 3, with 81 attacks.

At the forefront of these attacks are the provinces of Tehran with 33 cases, Qom with 28 cases, Ardabil with 26 cases, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province with 21 cases, and Khuzestan province with 20 cases. As of the time this report was compiled, below is a map depicting the distribution of these attacks.

student-poisoning-distribution-map

In conclusion, the situation of women in Iran is dire. It is of note that this report serves as a mere glimpse into the dire situation of women in Iran. Several factors prevent documentation groups from analyzing the full scope of violations committed against women in Iranian society. Urgent action is required to address the issues faced by women in Iran on a daily basis rooted solely in gender-based discrimination codified in both law and practice. The government must take concrete steps to protect women’s rights, end discriminatory laws and practices, and ensure that perpetrators of violence against women are brought to justice. On this International Women’s Day, we must continue to raise awareness of the struggles faced by women in Iran and advocate for their rights and equality.

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Poison Attacks on School Students Continue across Iran

On March 6, 2023, the wave of poison attacks on school students continued across Iran, as 100 school students in Khuzestan, 269 in East Azerbaijan Province, 75 in Semnan Province and several others in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province were poisoned and taken to hospital. Also, the Governor of Masal announced that the number of poisoned students has increased to 43.

According to ILNA, The Director General of Education of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province informed the public about the hospitalization of several students in two schools in Shahrekord.

Quoting the deputy of the Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences, IRNA reported that about 100 school students had been hospitalized due to poisoning in Khuzestan Province. This university official expressed his hope that all these students would be discharged soon.

Aftab News, quoting the dead of East Azerbaijan Emergency, reported the hospitalization of 269 students in the cities of Ajabshir, Sufian, Marand, Azarshahr, Mianeh and Tabriz. “Most of them have been discharged, but there are still 23 students under medical care,” he stated.

Also, IRIB reposted the hospitalization of 75 students from five schools in Semnan Province. Out of these students, seven are still in the hospital.

The Governor of Masal announced that the number of poisoned students has increased to 43, of which 21 students are in the emergency room.

Earlier, a deputy of Iran’s ministry of health stated that with these attacks: “Some want all schools, especially girls’ schools, to be closed down.”

Also, Mohammad-Taghi Fazel Meybodi, a religious scholar and university professor, called these incidents intentional attacks organized by “religious groups.” Moreover, the prosecutor-General of Iran also called these incidents “intentional.”