Item Summary

1 – Elnaz Rekabi, an Iranian sport climber, defied Iran's stringent dress code when she competed without a hijab at the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) Asian Championships in South Korea on October 16, 2022. By refusing to comply with the Hijab Law, which mandates women to cover their hair and body during public and official competition abroad, Elnaz's appearance, with her ponytail on display, sparked admiration and support from numerous Iranians who were actively protesting against the hijab laws and clerical regime.

4 – Niloufar Hamedi is an Iranian journalist known for her reporting on Mahsa Jina Amini's death and her treatment by Iran's Morality Police. She was arrested following the killing of Amini by the Morality Police. Hamedi has been awarded several international press freedom honors. She has been convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges of "collaboration with a hostile government (the United States)," "conspiracy and collusion against national security," and "anti-government propaganda activities." She will be imprisoned for a total of seven years and has been banned from participating in political parties, groups, virtual activities, media, and the press for a period of two years following imprisonment.

5 – Roya Piraee lived in Kermanshah, in western Iran, when her mother, Minoo Majidi, was killed during the September 2022 Iranian protests. Her mother was shot at close range by security forces on motorbikes while she was chanting slogans with other protesters. A viral picture of Roya shows her standing by her mother's grave, holding her cut hair as a symbol of protest and defiance against the Iranian regime.

8 – Nika Shakarami was a 16-year-old Iranian girl who disappeared in Tehran on September 20, 2022 during a protest that ensued after the police killing of Mahsa Jina Amini. She was last seen burning her headscarf as she stood on a dumpster. Shortly after, she was pursued by security forces. Her body was discovered ten days later in a morgue, bearing signs of violence and torture.