SAR Italy Statement on the situation of students and scholars in Iran

(...)International media reported that Iranian security forces have surrounded students at Sharif

University of Technology in Tehran. Secondary schools and Universities were closed

Sunday October 9 in the Iranian Kurdish provinces with the aim of preventing further

demonstrations. There are reports that security forces are intensifying their attacks and

arresting individuals from these locations in order to quell free speech and intellectual

exchange. There are also reports that security forces are beating, shooting at, and arresting

students and scholars who had been on strike while gathering in their universities in

solidarity with the protests.

Those treatments are a violation of students’ and scholars’ fundamental rights to freedom of

speech and assembly, and of their right to education and teaching. In solidarity with scholars

and students, education unions, and civic organisation, we condemn the brutality with which

Iranian government forces have responded to peaceful protests.

SAR Italy is strongly committed to protecting fundamental rights of students and scholars,

including the right to free expression, participation in the life of universities and peaceful

protests. Current violations of these rights for university students and staff in Iran are deeply

concerning. We appeal to the Iranian government to cease attacks on the protestors, and

seek peaceful avenues to address their legitimate demands, which include accountability

and transparency around the circumstance of the death of Mahsa Amini.

Read the full statement here.

SAR Italy is a partnership between Italian higher education institutions and research centres (as the University of Bologna) and SAR, an international network of higher education institutions aimed at fostering the promotion of academic freedom and protecting the fundamental rights of scholars across the world.