Latest news with #TehranUniversity
France 24
29-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
'We will shoot the thugs': Iranian police crack down on crime
The Iranian police are responding to growing criticism of the increase in crime and violence, which experts believe is due to 'chronic poverty, chronic trauma and daily stress caused by political unrest and mistrust of institutions', according to Iranian sociologists. Images of violent attacks and robberies have become ubiquitous in Iran, with multiple videos recorded by CCTV cameras or mobile phones posted daily on social media. Some of the attacks result in the victim's death, such as an incident on February 12, when two thieves attacked a Tehran University student, stabbing him in the neck while stealing his backpack. The student, Amir Khaleghi, died in hospital. CCTV footage of the attack triggered several days of protests and strikes at Tehran University. Some days later, Tehran police claimed to have arrested the thieves. For more than a decade, Iranian society has been grappling with rising criminality, particularly violent offences. While the number of robberies reported per 100,000 inhabitants stood at only 222 in 2006, this figure had surged to 1100 by 2023, according to data from the Statistical Center of Iran. Government statistics also show a dramatic rise in the number of violent crimes and attacks, including homicide, violent robberies, and street brawls. Analysts who follow crime and social issues in Iran say the official figures likely understate the worsening crime rate. 'The police shot me five times' Facing intense criticism for their inability to tackle violent crime, the Iranian police have responded by resorting to violence themselves. Following police chief Radan's announcement on April 7, 2025, they have begun shooting alleged criminals in the legs, publishing videos of these incidents on social media, and broadcasting them on state television channels. The police and the state media routinely refer to the criminals as 'thugs'. In one state TV report, the Tehran police commander, Brigadier-General Abasali Mohammadian, is even seen reprimanding one of his officers about an arrested 'thug', asking: 'Why is he unharmed?' The officer then apologises. Mohammadian, the Tehran police chief, declared on May 22: 'Crime has fallen by up to 33 percent in recent days because criminals know we shoot at them without hesitation. In the past 48 hours alone, we have shot and arrested five thieves.' Police response 'part of the problem, not the solution' Despite this display of force and swift violence, experts argue that such brutality has no deterrent effect. 'Simin' is an Iranian sociologist. (We have concealed her identity because of the sensitivity of talking to foreign media.) The authorities' short-term response exacerbating violence is part of the problem, not the solution. It is not the first time this approach has been taken. The regime tends to react punitively, favouring criminalisation over preventive social programmes. Iran's legal system has been shaped more by ideology than by practical considerations in defining criminal behaviour. As a result, many perceive the laws as arbitrary or unjust, which fosters defiance. Increasing the severity of punishments is largely ineffective; without addressing the root causes, the cycle of violence continues. What this society needs is fundamental reform: long-term crime prevention and social planning, not mere crackdowns. 'Injecting further violence only breeds more violence' 'Karoun' (not his real name) is also an Iranian sociologist, he too does not believe in the new method of the Iranian police. Injecting further violence into society only breeds more violence, both in society at large and in the crimes committed. Iranians rarely encounter the police on the streets unless it is to arrest women for not wearing the hijab, an action often carried out with violence. Broadly speaking, the police are seen more as agents of political and social control than as enforcers of public safety. These short-term, sporadic, and arbitrary crackdowns on social phenomena like 'thuggery'—or crime more generally—are ineffective. Police cannot decide to shoot at people when they want. There are laws that they ignore, and they say it publicly: 'We ignore the laws'. They see it as a public relations exercise. 'If poverty, inequality and government failures are not addressed, the upward trend in violence will continue' 'Simin' says the recent high-profile cases reflect a broad rise in crime in Iran. Several surveys show that almost half of the Iranian public expect crime and violence to get worse. And the official statistics, even if they are not reliable, do reflect an upward trend in crimes being committed in Iran. There are several reasons for this. First of all, rising crime in Iran is largely due to chronic poverty, inflation and unemployment fuelling despair. There is a strong link between inequality and violence: Iran's laws and development plans as well as economic inequalities lead to more poverty and inequality and thus drive up crime, putting people under constant stress, undermining security and provoking aggressive reactions. At a meeting on crime prevention on May 15, a spokesman for Iran's judiciary, Asghar Jahangir, said that approximately 80 percent of crimes in Iran stem from inflation and rising prices. 'Daily stress… heightens public anxiety and fear' 'Simin' continues: Four decades of revolution, war and conflict have left Iranian society exposed to chronic trauma and instability. Daily stress linked to political unrest—most notably the violent crackdown on the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests over the past three years, and two instances in which the country stood on the brink of war with Israel—has heightened public anxiety and fear, fuelling a climate of violence. It is well-established that communities exposed to persistent stress and insecurity—whether through discrimination, crises or disasters—are significantly more prone to aggression. Many Iranians feel they are denied employment opportunities simply because they lack connections within the regime, are not affiliated with the Basij, the ideologically driven paramilitary wing of the Revolutionary Guard as an example. Years of broken promises, repression, and the unequal enforcement of laws have eroded public trust in Iran's institutions. This trust deficit discourages cooperation with authorities—such as reporting crimes and weakens community cohesion, further fuelling violent crime and social decline. Reports of assaults, thefts and domestic violence now appear in the news almost daily, reinforcing the perception of a society gripped by a crime epidemic. Both the data and public sentiment point to a nation under immense pressure. Without addressing the root causes - poverty, inequality and governance failures - the upward trend in violent crime is likely to persist.
Edinburgh Reporter
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
At Craigmillar Now – award winning photographer presents unseen work
A new exhibition opening on 31 May presents a selection of Laleh Sherkat's early work, taken during her studies at The University of Tehran and shortly after graduating. Laleh Sherkat (b. 1963) is an Iranian photographer living in Craigmillar. The photographs focus on the lives of women in Iran during the politically turbulent period that followed the Islamic Revolution in 1979. There are six series of work in the show: 'Women in Prison,' (1984); 'Women at Work,' taken in factories across Tehran between 1984-1988; 'Morgue Workers,' (1993), Bandari Women, (1993) and Nomad Women, (1988). There is also a selection of work taken during the last few months of the Iran-Iraq war in 1988. Laleh Sherkat said: 'I faced restrictions that my male counterparts did not, but I sought to transcend these limitations and enrich my personal and artistic experience. I have always been deeply committed to documenting the realities of women's lives and amplifying their voices—an enduring concern that lies at the heart of these bodies of work.' As a woman Laleh was able to navigate women's spaces more easily and gain the trust of female subjects. This allowed Laleh to capture women and communities that might have otherwise remained undocumented. These photographs have never been exhibited in the UK and offer audiences a rare glimpse into the life of women in Iran during the 1980s and early 90s. Laleh Sherkat is a highly accomplished Iranian photographer living in Craigmillar. She graduated with a BA in photography from Tehran University in 1989 and has won various awards for her work, including the Golden Medal for the International Asahi Shinbone Competition in 1988. Between 1991-99 Laleh held academic teaching posts at Alzahra University, Soureh University and the Faculty of Iranian Cultural Heritage. She is a member of the Press Photographers Society and Women Photographers Society in Iran. Laleh's work has been published in several magazines and the war photography book 'A Growth at Dawn.' She has exhibited widely, with several solo shows in Iran and Edinburgh as well as participation in group shows in Paris and London. Recent projects include collaborations with the Festival of Migration with Art27, the Scottish Mental Health Art Festival and Craigmillar and Niddrie Community Festival. Craigmillar Now is a community-led organisation committed to supporting people living in the greater Craigmillar area to access the arts and local history. We do this through a wide-ranging programme of creative activities, which include free-to-access arts workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and events. We host a free, weekly hot meal, prepared by local chefs and are the caretakers of a thriving community garden. Craigmillar Now also holds the local archives, which are cared for by a team of volunteers. We regularly take our collections to venues across greater Craigmillar and further afield, reaching new communities and championing local history. This exhibition has been generously funded by Creative Scotland and Hope Scott Trust. The exhibition runs from 31 May to 29 June 2025. Like this: Like Related
Rudaw Net
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Kurds' have undeniable influence in the region: Scholar
Also in Iran Iran condemns Turkish FM's remarks on regional proxy influence Economic, security uncertainties loom for Iran amid regional, international developments: Academic Iran-Syria relations conditional on fair elections: Academic Zarif resigns as Iran's VP amid cabinet turmoil A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurds are an important factor in the region and can no longer be ignored, stated a professor from Tehran University during an interview with Rudaw. Ahmad Naghibzadeh said that Kurds have an undeniable footprint on the regional stage and 'cannot be ignored or marginalized.' He added that if Kurds 'are able to secure their rights, they will live in peace,' citing the Kurdistan Region as a model that has maintained 'peace and stability' in 'a region filled with chaos.' The Iranian scholar highlighted that the greatest benefit the Iraqi federal government could gain from the Kurdistan Region is through granting the Kurds their rights and upholding Iraq's inclusivity. He stressed that failing to do so would disrupt peace. Naghibzadeh's remarks come at a time when Kurdish affairs have recently been making headlines in the region. In Turkey, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) Abdullah Ocalan delivered a historic message in late February, urging his group to lay down arms and dissolve itself, which could effectively end a four-decade-old conflict with Ankara that has claimed around 40,000 lives. Meanwhile, Kurdish parties in northeast Syria (Rojava) have been increasingly critical of the new Syrian leadership lately, accusing it of excluding the Kurds and other ethnic and religious communities from national efforts aimed at shaping the country's future. Naghibzadeh explained that amid the changing dynamics in the region and the world, ethnic and religious constituents 'have the opportunity to rise and demand their rights.' He anticipated that while 'there are small minority groups [in the region] whose issues may not be resolved through securing democratic freedoms,' the Kurds 'are different, as they possess all the characteristics of a nation.' The Kurds believe that Greater Kurdistan refers to the historical region traditionally inhabited by the Kurdish people, spanning parts of four countries: Iraq (Bashur), western Iran (Rojhelat), southeast Turkey (Bakur), and northeast Syria (Rojava). According to Naghibzadeh, the authorities in these countries are 'very wrong for not granting Kurds their rights.' He emphasized that if 'Kurds are satisfied with self-determination and equality,' these countries 'should be more than happy because the Kurds are the most cohesive nation in the Middle East.'
Rudaw Net
03-03-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Economic, security uncertainties loom for Iran amid regional, international developments: Academic
Also in Iran Iran-Syria relations conditional on fair elections: Academic Zarif resigns as Iran's VP amid cabinet turmoil US views Iraq through the lens of Iran: Former US diplomat KDPI spokesperson welcomes Ocalan's call for disarmament A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A renowned professor at Tehran University has emphasized that Iran's economy, foreign relations and security are in a precarious position due to ongoing regional and international developments. 'Three key aspects - economy, foreign relations, and security - have been threatened,' said Ebrahim Motaghi in an interview with Rudaw, elaborating that 'inflation has risen, regional fluctuations have emerged in foreign policy, and in security, Iran has lost part of its surplus power in the region.' Following a swift offensive, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, on December 8 toppled the regime of Tehran's ally, Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia with his family. The downfall of Assad has been characterized as a major blow to the Iran-led 'Axis of Resistance,' which also includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. These groups have also suffered setbacks over the past 16 months due to ongoing conflict with Israel. On the international stage, the United States President Donald Trump in early February restored the maximum pressure policy against Iran. He argued that Tehran is 'too close' to obtaining nuclear weapons, but expressed interest in negotiating a deal with Iran. In response, Iran has repeatedly denied any intentions of developing nuclear weapons and its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei slammed negotiations with the US as 'unwise.' Motaghi told Rudaw that in light of these developments, the Iranian people are in stall for many uncertainties regarding economic policies and foreign relations. In a different vein, the Iranian academic highlighted the positive effects of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration, including his more relaxed implementation of the hijab law. Iran's 1979 hijab law requires all women in the country to cover their hair with a hijab and wear loose-fitting clothing in public. Tehran's Guardian Council in early December approved a stricter hijab law, which includes measures such as hefty fines for violations, the installation of CCTV cameras with facial recognition technology in state offices to identify offenders and penalties for businesses that fail to enforce the dress code. Additionally, the law also empowers ordinary citizens to report violations. Pezeshkian in December emphasized discussions are needed to determine the feasibility of the new hijab law, asserting his commitment to reformist principles. Notably, the strict hijab law came despite the nationwide protests which broke out in Iran in September 2022, and were sparked by the death of a Kurdish woman, Zhina (Mahsa) Amini, in the custody of Iran's morality police. Amini was detained for allegedly violating the dress code. Motaghi noted that 'over the past two years, debates surrounding political and social unrest have been taking place in Iran, primarily due to the systematic political paradigm for controlling hijab enforcement laws. Mr. Pezeshkian has clarified that enforcing the hijab law should not be a top priority for the government. He emphasized that every country must first ensure security and welfare before focusing on such issues' The Iranian scholar also stressed that social freedoms, including concerts, student activities, and a greater sense of hope, contribute to societal change. He emphasized that "if such conditions were met,' many value frameworks would inevitably shape the social structure in a deterministic way.
Rudaw Net
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iran-Syria relations conditional on fair elections: Academic
Also in Iran Zarif resigns as Iran's VP amid cabinet turmoil US views Iraq through the lens of Iran: Former US diplomat KDPI spokesperson welcomes Ocalan's call for disarmament Iranian parliament dismisses finance minister A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran will establish diplomatic relations with the new Syrian government if it holds fair elections and its authorities 'change their nature,' a Tehran University professor said. 'For sure, if an election is held for a government that has gained power through armed force and Turkey's support, and it secures the people's votes in accordance with international standards, then why would we not establish ties with them?' Javad Rekabi Sherbaf, assistant professor at Tehran University, told Rudaw's Fuad Rahim last week. Iran was a staunch supporter of Bashar al-Assad's Syrian regime, which was toppled by a coalition of rebel groups spearheaded by the Islamist Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8. Sherbaf elaborated that Iran was not 'directly supporting Assad himself' but 'supporting both Assad and the Syrian nation.' 'I think the Islamic Republic of Iran, in this regard, has no issues making contact with the new regime of the Syrian government, but we have to see how the stability situation in Syria evolves. We also need to determine whether the armed forces that, until six months ago, were recognized as terrorists by several countries and had bounties placed on their heads have changed their nature or not,' he stressed. In late February, Iran's deputy foreign minister called on Damascus authorities to respect their pledge for an inclusive government in action. In December, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani called on Tehran to respect the will of the Syrian people and warned them against 'spreading chaos.'
