As the widespread protests in Iran continue and recent footage is released showing Iranian police beating women on a train at Tehran metro, we speak to a number of Iranian-Swedish individuals living in Sweden on how it feels to watch the events unfold from afar…
After reflecting on the situation in Iran in an opinion piece published earlier this week, I’ve come to the conclusion that this is not just for the women of Iran to solve - this is a global human rights issue. This is a critical moment for us to stand in solidarity with the people of Iran and show that injustice should never be tolerated, no matter which part of the world they belong to.
I spoke to three Iranian-born, Sweden-based individuals in my network to hear their thoughts on the current situation and what it feels like watching the events unfold from the relative comfort of Sweden. Hear from fashion and costume designer Behnaz Aram, Parisa Fowles-Pazdro, founder of luxury pet brand Maxbone and doctor Ellie Nowotny, about what’s happening in Iran and how non-Iranians in Scandinavia can lend their support.
Photo: Getty
Why has the death of Jina Mahsa Amini struck a chord globally?
Behnaz Aram: The Iranian people have had enough; I think Gen Z have another view of the kind of future they want for themselves, after seeing their parents growing up under very strict religious and social rules. They are tired of being repressed and controlled. Seeing people in the west living free – they hunger for that.
Parisa Fowles-Pazdro: This movement was made possible by the brave Iranians and journalists, such as Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, that helped spread the word. Seeing the Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour arrested for simply expressing the frustrations of the Iranian people through his art, this could have been any one of us.
Ellie Nowotny: There have been attempts to start a revolution before but this time around it’s very different. I believe it has a lot to do with social media, where we are able to connect with a stranger on the other side of the world and learn that they are no different from us. We all share the same dreams of freedom and democracy; we all crave basic human rights.
Behnaz Aram.
What is the most important message for non-Iranians to understand about Iran and its people?
Aram: It’s important that people understand that this revolution is not about religion, it’s about women’s free right to choose. Before the revolution, Iran was not much different to Western societies, but we were stripped of every basic human right after the revolution.
Pazdro-Fowles: We come from a strong culture with amazing art, brains and expressive fashion and all of that was taken away from us. Religion should be a beautiful choice made by each individual and the current regime is forcing a singular belief on its people.
Nowotny: Since the rise of the protests non-Iranians have realised that the country’s leadership doesn’t represent its people.
Ellie Nowotny.
How do you feel watching the devastating events unfold in Iran?
Fowles-Pazdro: This has sparked emotions in me which I didn’t know I had. It made me realise I had suppressed so much of the pain my parents went through. I was very young when my parents moved to Sweden due to the war. Growing up here I tried to fit in as much as possible, but I was embarrassed being Iranian. I realise now that I was never embarrassed about my heritage, but the misconceptions that people had about Iran which I couldn’t associate myself with. Finally after 42 years, the events in Iran has triggered a massive feeling in me, I have never been so proud being Iranian.
Nowotny: I can’t help but feel guilty about not being there in person next to my sisters and brothers. I feel a deep love for my people. I think about what’s happening in Iran from the moment I wake up until I go to bed. I grieve the many brave people and children that we have lost. I know I’m not alone with this feeling of guilt. It’s really powerful to see the Iranian diaspora unite around the world, showing support to our people.
Parisa Fowles-Pazdro.
What’s the best way to get non-Iranians in Scandinavia to care about what’s happening in Iran and help?
Aram: We can’t force people to be engaged, but we can spread the movement and inform people that this is about democracy. It is relevant to people outside of Iran’s borders because so many minority groups must fight for their human and civil rights all around the world. I urge Scandinavians to continue to be the megaphones for the Iranian people and spread their message. Join demonstrations, stay informed and stay empathetic to what they are going through.
Fowles-Pazdro: Iranian youth are just like Gen Z and millennials living here, filled with the same dreams and aspirations. We have the opportunity to be on the right side of history and amplify their voices, we will regret it if we don’t do our part.
Nowotny: By giving Iranians the opportunity to raise their voice through different media outlets we can keep the conversation going.