Dozens of lawyers from the Cours des Avocats (House of Advocates) gathered in Paris on Monday in a show of solidarity with anti-government protesters in Iran, following the death of Mahsa Amini.
The attorneys were seen standing under a portrait of Amini wearing the long black robes associated with their profession and chanting “Women, Life, Freedom”.
“It is true that in Iran, which is a dictatorship, we have lawyers who have been prosecuted for their actions in favour of the defence of human rights,” said lawyer, Julie Couturier. “We have always supported them and today there is this freedom movement, the least we can do is that we are there, with our role as defenders of human rights.”
“All my respect to all Iranian women and men who are in the resistance. Here is a people which is magnificent, which is strong and which is on the point of succeeding,” added Vincent Niore, a second lawyer.
Amini fell into a coma and died on September 16, following her arrest by Tehran’s ‘morality police’ for allegedly breaking strict hijab rules.
The authorities claimed she’d had a heart attack, while protesters claimed Amini was beaten and her family has denied she had any health problems.
Her death has sparked widespread protests across Iran with dozens reportedly killed and hundreds arrested amid harsh crackdowns.