Two days after Toomaj Salehi, a dissident rapper in Iran, was sentenced to death, reactions at home and abroad continue to pour in. In the latest wave of criticism, a coalition of educators rights activists has vehemently condemned the verdict.
On Friday, the Teachers Guild of Fars Province issued a statement saying, "These are dire times. It is a stark reflection of our era when the judiciary turns a blind eye to the hands of embezzlers and financial criminals, yet keenly listens to the voices of artists, fearing they might utter the words, 'I love you.' "
The teachers guild said that while the death sentence was handed down to a renowned artist, economic plunderers and corrupt individuals not only escape punishment but also evade detention or prosecution within the judicial system, perpetuating a grave injustice.
The guild wrote, "In a climate where avenues for legal criticism and activism are obstructed, and society witnesses mounting discrimination, injustice and recurrent legal violations, there's a looming concern that the pent-up rage of the populace will erupt, potentially fueling even more radical social movements in the foreseeable future."
The guild was alluding to recent events, notably the 2022 protests that swept Iran, and it said the government’s actions "have underscored the looming inevitability of such outcomes, leaving no room for escape."
In its statement, the teachers guild demanded Salehi’s immediate and unconditional release, along with an annulment of the verdict. "The issuance of such disgraceful judgments by the judiciary system only deepens society's distrust in the judicial process," it said.
'Art does not succumb'
The Harsin Educators Association also strongly condemned the death sentence given to Salehi, calling it a "murder of art and life."
The teachers association said, "Art does not succumb to torture, incarceration or execution, as it embodies the essence of humanity itself."
Likewise, educators in Alborz province issued a statement condemning the "inhumane verdict against Toomaj Salehi, a son of Iran," and said "history's testimony reveals that the trend of stifling and intimidating dissenters has never succeeded in quelling activism and criticism worldwide.”
The statement's signatories urged the government: "Be mindful that the voices of Toomajs cannot be silenced. Indeed, the newly breathed voices sheltered within the nest will echo his voice. Indeed, it is this resilient voice that endures and refuses to be silenced."
The educators said that "Toomaj stands accused not of embezzlement or theft, but solely for echoing the anguish and hardship endured by his compatriots."
Esmaeil Abdi, a teachers rights activist, wrote on his social media account that "Toomaj Salehi epitomized the ability to ignite social movements and exemplified the ethical and humanistic value of art in our time."
According to Abdi, "Toomaj Salehi's works resonated with the anguish of various segments of society, including teachers, laborers, nurses and marginalized communities such as the Baluch, Kurd, Turk, Fars, Arab and others."
Another educational activist, Aziz Ghasemzadeh, wrote on his Telegram account that the death sentence imposed on Salehi lacked legal justification.
Salehi initially received a six-year prison sentence but was released after Iran’s Supreme Court sent the case back to the lower court over flaws in his original sentence. However, shortly thereafter, he was rearrested and transferred to Isfahan Prison.
He was apprehended in November 2022 amidst nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini during her detention by Iran’s morality police.
Salehi faced trial earlier this month at Branch One of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, where he was charged with "assembly and collusion" and "assisting in rebellion." His legal team received notification of his death sentence on Wednesday.
The Telegram channel "Charter of Freedom, Welfare, Equality" called Salehi's death sentence a tool "for intimidation and suppression" of the Iranian populace. It said: "The court issuing this decree is aware that its decision lacks such a foundation that it cannot even be upheld within the current legal structure of the Islamic Republic."
Mojgan Eftekhari, the mother of Mahsa Amini, penned a poignant message on her Instagram story: "Do not allow Toomaj's mother's heart to mirror mine; let Toomaj breathe so that his mother does not suffocate."
Renowned filmmaker Bahman Ghobadi, in a video shared on Instagram, sought updates on the status of Salehi and other detained protesters. He depicted the Islamic Republic on the brink of collapse, urging Iranians to unify once more in efforts to topple the government.
