Protests in Iran: Protesters ‘continue to raise their voices’ 40 days after activists were executed.

On Thursday and Friday, protests resumed in several Iranian cities to mark the 40 days of execution of two men accused of demonstrating against the regime.

Protests appear to have slowed down in recent weeks following the Islamic Republic’s crackdown on protesters and several executions.

Videos posted on social media show people marching through cities, including the capital Tehran, chanting “Freedom, freedom, freedom” and “Death to the dictator” in deference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In Tehran, protesters chanted “Woman, Life, Freedom,” a rallying cry, originally a Kurdish slogan that has become a symbol of feminist solidarity and freedom struggle since the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Mahsa Amini last September. one year after she was arrested by the Vice Squad, arrested for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code.

In Iran, 40-day wakes are common and mark the end of the traditional period of mourning.

Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Seyyed Mohammad Hosseini were hanged on January 7 after they were found guilty of killing a member of the Basij volunteer corps during a demonstration in the city of Karaj. Both maintained their innocence during their arrest and trial.

Four people have been executed since the protests began in September. They faced fast-paced closed trials that were widely criticized. The UN condemned them as “unfair trials based on forced confessions”.

Video viewed persian bbc shows a crowd in Karaj chanting the names of recently executed men and anti-regime slogans.

The NGO Human Rights Defenders in Iran (Hrana) on Friday shared a video footage that reportedly showed hundreds of people demonstrating in Zahedan, a city in southern Balochistan province that has since witnessed a brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters and mass arrests.

According to Grana, 529 demonstrators, including 71 children, have been killed since the protests began on September 17. About 20,000 people were arrested by the authorities in an attempt to quell dissent.

The NGO also estimated that 107 protesters face the death penalty.

An Iranian opposition group, the People’s Organization of the Mujahideen of Iran (Pmoi), tweeted a video on Friday of crowds marching in Khash, a city in the country’s southeast, chanting “Death to Khamenei.”

Despite the arrests, hangings and torture of protesters, the protests are likely to continue, said Anoush Ehteshami, professor of international relations and chair of the Institute for Middle East and Islamic Studies at Durham University.

“There is little evidence that people are behaving the way the hardliners want – this is clearly not the case, as none of the grievances that sparked the protests have been satisfactorily addressed,” he said. I.

“I think the pressure will [the regime] Reduce the number of executions, because they understand that it does not play any role at all.

“So I think that will change, but surveillance, harassment, arrests and things like that probably won’t go away anytime soon.”

Professor Ehteshami added that the level of repression in non-Persian ethnic communities such as Balochistan and Kurdistan is “quite appalling”.

He added that the Iranians “will continue to find ways to resist” and “will make sure that their voices are heard.”

But he doesn’t think the protests will lead to a revolution in Iran anytime soon.

“There are divisions within the elite on how to deal with the protests, some want a much more compromise position,” Professor Ehteshami said.

“In parliament, the speaker, former ministers and presidents have declared the need for a change of course. But the government clearly wants to be tough and not compromise.

“From their point of view, power is good, and if you make a conciliatory gesture, you will give the protesters courage.”