Sepideh Rashnu

Sepideh Rashnu (Persian: سپیده رشنو; born 1994) is an Iranian writer, who is imprisoned for protesting against state-imposed hijab rules. In July 2022, she had an altercation on a public bus with another woman over the hijab rules, and the video went viral on social media.^[1][2]

Sepideh Rashnu
سپیده رشنو
Born	(1994-10-21) October 21, 1994 (age 30) Iran
Occupation(s)	Writer, poet, journalist
Known for	Protesting against compulsory hijab in Iran

History

Sepideh Rashnu was arrested on 16 July 2022 after a video showing an altercation between her and Rayeheh Rabii on a bus went viral. The dispute arose because Rabii attempted to enforce the Iranian government's compulsory hijab policy, claiming Rashnu was not wearing her hijab 'properly'. Rashnu was assaulted during the altercation.^[2][3]

Later in July 2022, the state-run television, IRIB, played a video of Rashnu's confessions, which is said to have been recorded under duress. It has also been reported that a few days prior to the confession's recording she has been to a hospital in Tehran, because of internal bleeding, possibly because of torture.^[4][5]

She was released from Evin Prison on 30 August 2022 by providing 8'000'000'000 IRR (approximately USD $29,000) as collateral.^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Awards

In November 2023, Rashdu was included in the BBC's 100 Women list, an annual compilation that spotlights the most inspiring and influential women from around the world. This list features women who have made significant impacts in various fields, including activism, arts, sports, and science, celebrating their contributions to society and the broader global community.^[13]

See also

• 2017–2019 Iranian protests against compulsory hijab
• Compulsory Hijab in Iran
• Forced confession
• Roya Heshmati

References

1. "ادامه واکنش‌ها به جنجال "آمر به معروف" در اتوبوس؛ نام زن معترض سپیده رشنو است" [Continuation of the reactions to the "Amer Be Maruf" controversy on the bus; The protester's name is Sepideh Rashnu]. صدای آمریکا (Voice of America) (in Persian). July 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-04.
2. "مقاومت علیه حجاب اجباری؛ سپیده رشنو دستگیر شد – DW – ۱۴۰۱/۴/۲۷" [Resistance against compulsory hijab; Sepideh Reshno was arrested]. Deutsche Welle (DW) (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-01-04.
3. "Sepideh Rashnu". United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Archived from the original on 20 July 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
4. "Iranian activists stand with woman jailed over hijab rule in viral video". Arab News. 18 August 2022. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
5. "سپیده رشنو تصویری جدید از سپیده رشنو منتشر شد؛ قوه قضائیه می‌گوید او تفهیم اتهام شده". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 20 August 2022. Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
6. "سپیده رشنو با قرار وثیقه آزاد شد" [Sepideh Reshno was released on bail]. fararu.com (in Persian). August 30, 2022. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
7. "سپیده رشنو آزاد شد" [Sepideh Reshnu was released]. ایسنا (ISNA) (in Persian). 2022-08-30. Archived from the original on 2022-08-31. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
8. "با تودیع وثیقه ۸۰۰ میلیونی؛ سپیده رشنو آزاد شد" [By depositing a 800 million bond; Sepideh Reshnu was released]. شرق (Shargh Daily) (in Persian). Archived from the original on 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
9. "سپیده رشنو، زن معترض به حجاب اجباری، با قرار وثیقه از زندان اوین آزاد شد". ایران اینترنشنال (in Persian). Archived from the original on 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
10. ""سپیده رشنو" آزاد شد". خبرآنلاین (in Persian). 2022-08-30. Archived from the original on 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
11. ایران, عصر (August 30, 2022). "سپیده رشنو آزاد شد". fa (in Persian). Retrieved 2022-08-30.
12. "سپیده رشنو آزاد شد | پایگاه خبری تحلیلی انصاف نیوز". انصاف نیوز (in Persian). 2022-08-30. Archived from the original on 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
13. "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. November 23, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-24.

External links

• Sepideh Rashnu on United States Commission on International Religious Freedom's victim database.
• "سپیده رشنو". ویکی‌پدیا، دانشنامهٔ آزاد (in Persian). 20 August 2022.