An Iranian activist, Hossein Ronaghi, has sewn his lips shut and is holding daily protests in Tehran. His actions follow the apparent suicide of fellow campaigner Kianoosh Sanjari, a tragedy that has shocked the activist community. Ronaghi shared details of his protest on social media on Thursday.
Ronaghi explained that his protest is in response to restrictions imposed by authorities on Sanjari’s funeral. Sanjari’s friends reported that the 42-year-old activist, who had returned to Iran nearly a decade ago after living in the United States, took his own life after years of arrests and persecution.
The activist community accuses Iranian authorities of pushing Sanjari toward this tragic end. He had warned in a social media post that he would take his life if four political prisoners were not released. Hours after this post, during the night of November 14-15, Sanjari committed suicide.
Lip Sewing Protest Gains Attention
Ronaghi began his protest on November 16, the day Iranian authorities reportedly blocked friends and colleagues from attending Sanjari’s memorial service in Tehran. He posted images of his lips sewn shut with blue twine and vowed to continue his protest until the release of the prisoners Sanjari advocated for.
“I will keep my lips sewn shut until Kianoosh’s wishes are fulfilled,” Ronaghi declared on social media. He has also conducted solo sit-ins in public squares, which have led to multiple arrests. However, he has not been detained for more than a few hours each time.
Ronaghi revealed that he is consuming only water, tea, and medications, which has left him feeling weak. He accused security forces of subjecting him to verbal abuse and mistreatment during his recent arrests.
Continued Crackdown on Activists
Ronaghi’s protest comes at a time when Iranian activists are still grappling with the aftermath of a government crackdown following the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, died in custody in 2022 after being arrested for allegedly breaching the country’s dress code for women.
Sanjari’s demands included the release of four prominent detainees viewed as political prisoners by human rights groups:
- Fatemeh Sepehri, a veteran campaigner.
- Nasreen Shakarami, mother of a teenager killed in the 2022 protests.
- Tomaj Salehi, a rapper.
- Arsham Rezaei, a civil rights activist.
Ronaghi’s actions highlight the ongoing struggle for human rights and freedom of speech in Iran. His courageous stand has drawn attention to the plight of political prisoners and the pressures faced by activists in the country.
