Angelina Jolie may have stepped back from her role as a Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, but she continues to make a difference in the world of humanitarian efforts. Recently, the actress, director, and activist showed her support for Iranians advocating for change in their country’s laws in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s tragic death in police custody six months ago.
Specifically, Jolie highlighted the plight of two protesters who suffered severe eye injuries during the protests following Amini’s death. These individuals were targeted by troops from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a branch of the Iranian Armed Forces. Jolie’s social media post expressed her sympathy for these young Iranians who have been injured in the pursuit of justice and freedom.
Jolie’s message underscored the sacrifices that many young Iranians are making as they fight for their rights and liberties. Her post included hashtags emphasizing the importance of women’s lives and freedom, as well as references to Mahsa Amini, Elahe Tavakolian, and Zaniar Tondro.
Angelina Jolie, aged 47, expressed her solidarity with the Iranian protestors following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died while in police custody six months ago. Jolie shared a photo of Tavakolian, a PhD student from Iran, with her right eye bandaged up, alongside a powerful quote showcasing her resilience in the midst of adversity: “You aimed at my eyes but my heart is still beating.”
Despite losing one eye and having it replaced with a prosthetic, Tavakolian bravely refused to complain against her attacker, acknowledging that she does not regret sacrificing her eyesight and even thanked them for the honor. Another photo featured Tondro, an 18-year-old protester, with both eyes covered in bandages, ultimately losing the sight in his right eye as well.
Tavakolian and Tondro are just two examples of the hundreds of Iranians who suffered severe eye injuries during the government crackdown on anti-government demonstrations. Reports indicated that more than 520 people were killed, with over 20,000 others unlawfully detained. Additionally, at least 100 protesters were at risk of facing execution or death penalty charges by the end of 2022, with many more receiving extensive prison sentences.
The situation in Iran remains dire, with numerous individuals enduring unimaginable suffering in their fight for justice and freedom.
Rebellion: Jolie recounted the experiences of Elahe Tavakolian and Zaniar Tondro, although their names may have been misspelled, as they were among the many demonstrators who suffered serious eye injuries in clashes with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
During a recent protest in Iran, Tavakolian, a doctoral student, reflected on the loss of her eye in a confrontation with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps by sharing this powerful statement.
Dignity and bravery: Tavakolian, who lost vision in her right eye and now uses a prosthetic, courageously revealed that she has no regrets about her vision loss. She made this admission while advocating for significant political reforms in Iran.
Courageous victims like Zaniar Tondro, 18, who even lost his right eye, are part of the many Iranians who experienced serious eye injuries from pellets, tear gas canisters, paintballs, and other projectiles fired by security personnel during the suppression of protests against the government.
Angelina Jolie has reported on disturbing incidents in Iran, where government forces are targeting protestors with rubber bullets and shotgun pellets, causing them to lose their eyesight. In addition, children who were detained during protests have faced brutal treatment, including torture. A young boy who was arrested for writing a message on a wall described being subjected to electric shocks, beatings, and threats of further harm if they spoke out. Jolie emphasized the importance of children’s rights to express their opinions and called for the release of those detained for peacefully protesting. #womanlifefreedom #iran #humanrights @AmnestyIran.
Additional troubling allegations have surfaced: Jolie revealed in March that children taken into custody during protests were subsequently subjected to torture.
Illuminating the darkness: The creator of In The Land Of Blood And Honey recounted the tale of an Iranian student who alleges he was subjected to torture while in detention.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on March 17, Jolie revealed the harrowing accounts of children subjected to brutal torture while detained in Iran. This shocking revelation highlights the urgent need for action and justice.
After more than two decades of dedicated service, Jolie made the difficult decision to step down from her role as Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in December 2022. She expressed her deep belief in the UN’s humanitarian work, especially in providing life-saving emergency aid to those in need.
Despite leaving her UN position, Jolie remains committed to advocating for refugees and will continue her work with organizations that empower those directly impacted by conflict. Her dedication to supporting and amplifying the voices of refugees remains unwavering.
Transitioned: In December 2022, Jolie made a public statement declaring her decision to leave her role as the Special Envoy for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Jolie has been dedicated to making a positive impact through her humanitarian efforts with the United Nations for more than two decades. Her recent work in Mosul, Iraq in June 2018 showed her commitment to helping those in need.