Thousands march in Zurich in support of Iranian protests

Wrapped in the (former) Iranian flag in Zurich, January 7, 2023. © Keystone / Michael Buholzer

Between 2,000 and 3,000 people have demonstrated in Zurich against state repression in Iran. They also called on Switzerland to take action against Tehran.

The march on Saturday was one of the biggest yet in Switzerland since protests broke out in Iran last Autumn, with the Swiss News Agency Keystone-SDA estimating turnout at around 2,000 people. Organisers reckoned it was 3,000.

Led by the Free Iran Switzerland group, demonstrators called for women’s liberties and an end to repressive policies in Tehran. As they already did in petitions last November, they also called on the Swiss government to follow the US and the EU and adopt sanctions against Iran.

Unrest has continued in the Middle Eastern country since the death of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in police custody last September. She had been arrested for not wearing a head scarf properly.

While the Swiss government has condemned violence by Iranian security forces, it has so far opted against further action, mainly citing its good offices role in the country: since the breakdown of relations between the US and Iran in 1980, Switzerland has represented the diplomatic interests of both countries towards each other.

Executions

Recent estimates by the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) say that more than 500 people have died in the Iran protests, including 70 minors. More than 19,000 protesters have been arrested, HRANA says.

On Saturday, Iranian authorities said two more protesters had been executed in the early hours of the morning, bringing the total to four since the movement began. The men were responsible for the death of a security officer, the authorities said.