Iranian Academic in Cork Exposes Tehran's Brutal Crackdown on Democratic Uprising
Dr Mastoureh Fathi, an Iranian lecturer at University College Cork, has delivered a damning testimony of the Iranian regime's violent suppression of democratic protests, describing the ongoing situation as nothing short of a "massacre" of peaceful demonstrators.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Dr Fathi painted a horrific picture of state violence against citizens demanding basic economic justice and democratic change. Her account serves as a stark reminder of the brutal reality faced by those living under authoritarian rule, a situation that resonates deeply with Ireland's own historical struggle against oppressive governance.
A People's Uprising Met with State Terror
What began as protests against crippling inflation has evolved into a nationwide democratic uprising, with millions of Iranians taking to the streets demanding regime change. Dr Fathi, who has lost contact with family and friends in Iran, described how decades of international sanctions have left ordinary Iranians "destitute for very basic needs."
"They opened fire on peaceful protesters who were on the street," Dr Fathi testified, her words carrying the weight of personal anguish and professional authority. "This was a widespread national protest against the regime. Iranian people do want regime change."
The academic's testimony reveals the use of military-grade weapons against civilians, including shotguns, machine guns, and heavy machinery. "They just didn't care who they were shooting at," she said, describing scenes that echo the darkest chapters of state repression worldwide.
Systematic Suppression and Information Warfare
The Iranian authorities' response extends beyond physical violence to systematic information suppression. Dr Fathi reported that communication channels have been severed and security forces are conducting house-to-house operations to dismantle satellite dishes, preventing citizens from accessing independent coverage of the demonstrations.
"We have witness accounts through recorded voices that they are saying that they even went on the streets on small alleys and they killed whoever was just outside, standing outside their own houses," she revealed, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the state's violence.
Commodifying Grief: The Regime's Final Insult
Perhaps most shocking is Dr Fathi's revelation that the regime is demanding up to €3,000 from families to release the bodies of their murdered relatives. "What we are seeing is literally not just a massacre, but a massacre combined with absolute, absolute lack of morality," she said.
The US-based HRANA rights group has verified the deaths of 2,403 protesters and 147 government-affiliated individuals, though rights organizations believe the true figure is significantly higher due to communication blackouts.
International Implications and Irish Solidarity
As the United Nations Security Council prepares to address the Iranian crisis, Dr Fathi's testimony from Cork serves as a powerful reminder of the global nature of the struggle for democracy and human rights. Her presence in Ireland, a nation that understands the cost of fighting for independence and self-determination, adds particular weight to her words.
The Iranian regime's warning that it would target American bases if Washington intervenes demonstrates the international dimensions of this crisis, while highlighting the complex geopolitical calculations at play.
Dr Fathi's courage in speaking out, despite the obvious personal risks, exemplifies the kind of principled solidarity that has long defined Ireland's approach to international justice. Her testimony serves not only as documentation of atrocities but as a call for the international community to stand with the Iranian people in their struggle for democracy and human dignity.