Mourning Mothers of Laleh Come to Park Despite Strong Presence of Police

Mourning Mothers of Laleh Come to Park Despite Strong Presence of Police

According to reports received by human rights and democracy activists in Iran, regime forces occupied Laleh Park and surrounding areas. They used threats and insults to stop Mourning Mothers from forming any gatherings.

Mourning Mothers of Laleh who lost their children in the June election protests gather every Saturday in Laleh Park of Tehran to commemorate their sons and daughters and demand justice for their loved ones.

Starting at 5:00 pm (local time in Tehran) on Saturday, January 2, the mothers who were on their way to Laleh Park were being followed by security agents, and there were two or three agents harassing each mother. These agents were threatening the mothers with arrest and would not let them enter the Park.

A group of mothers who succeeded in entering the park were stopped from joining the others. The mothers tried a few times to get together, but faced raids by security forces.

The agents who were stationed at the entrances of the park and at various points within the park in groups of four or five attacked violently any of the Mourning Mothers they spotted, and threatened them with arrest and beatings. In addition to the police, plainclothes and Basij on motorcycles controlled the area around the park.

Human Right and Democracy Activists in Iran (January 3rd, 2010)

- Siavosh, Persian2English