UKC

Joining the ongoing protests by women against Iran's oppressive regime, professional climber Elnaz Rekabi removed her hijab in the Combined Finals at the IFSC Asia Continental Championship in Seoul yesterday in defiance of her country's strictly enforced dress code for women. Rekabi may now face persecution for her actions, while the BBC reports that she has been uncontactable since Sunday evening. A video of her competing with an uncovered ponytail has been widely shared and supported online.

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So courageous!

Well done Elnaz Rekabi. 

I've just seen she's gone missing

This from the BBC and google translate: https://www-bbc-com.translate.goog/persian/sport-63293653?_x_tr_sl=auto&...

I do hope she's OK and the awful theocracy is swept away. 

In reply to Natalie Berry - UKC:

Thanks for sharing this, and do keep us posted with updates. If I hear anything I will also share. ✊ 

https://iranwire.com/en/politics/108685-iranwire-exclusive-iranian-athlete-...

First exclusive out. Not confirmed or relayed elsewhere yet but website seems fairly legit. I hope it's not true.

Confirmed that she has left Seoul for Tehran, two days earlier than expected: https://twitter.com/ranarahimpour/status/1582119775462862849

Guardian report:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/18/fears-for-iranian-climber-eln...

I'm pretty sure Iranwire is legit.

Also reported in: https://www.iranintl.com/en/202210177757 

Inranintl has some dodgy backers but a lot of good journalism still comes out of it.

Her courage, and that of the other women protesting in Iran, is truly humbling.

Completely agree. This is a woman who would have known she would be arrested and possibly murdered when she refused to wear her hijab. She may well be in Evin prison which was on fire this weekend with an unknown number of inmates dying. What do we do? Where can the huge resources of UKC forums register their protest?

https://www.ifsc-climbing.org/index.php/news/847-ifsc-official-statement-re...

The IFSC say they have been in contact (at which point exactly is unclear) with Ms Rekabi and the Iranian Climbing Federation.

'Our understanding is that she is returning to Iran, and we will continue to monitor the situation as it develops on her arrival.'

I think there is also possibly some confusion in the press about planned departure and arrival times (and the journey from Seoul to Tehran is a fair distance).

The BBC reports that she has posted on Instagram that her hijab fell off ‘inadvertently’ but “BBC Persian's Rana Rahimpour says that to many people the language used in this post looks like it has been written under duress.”

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-63297219

An update in the Guardian this morning:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/19/elnaz-rekabi-iranian-climber-...

I think the fascist theocracy might be on the way out. Protests seem to still be growing and I've seen more reports of strikes

Yep, strikes are spreading which is very significant. People are becoming bolder and the momentum is growing. I so hope something good comes of this. 

Yes, although a military take over seems the most likely alternative - a bit like Egypt - and that's not necessarily a great alternative.

Yep. The IRGC are the real power if push comes to shove. They are not daft but they are extremely paranoid which never makes for progressive governance. I do think for the regime to survive the best option would be for Khamenei to "retire due to old age" and replace him with Rouhani, then clear out the hardliners and reform the country's laws especially regarding women, religion and the rights of certain ethnic minorities. There are a lot of moderate to progressive voices in Iran who daren't speak up. I suspect the IRGC are waiting to see how far this goes, though they are active in Kurdish areas even more than usual.