2026/02/19Mourning as Resistance: Iranian Footballer Echoes “Dance in Grief” Message
Zahra Alizadeh , a player for Gol Gohar Sirjan’s women’s football team , reposted a message tied to the 40th-day commemorations for victims of Iran’s nationwide protests, featuring the line: “What do you know of turning our hands, ululating, and dancing in mourning for a young life—when your shoulders are heavy with flowers?” Iran International noted Alizadeh had previously withdrawn from Iran’s women’s national team in protest over the killings—described as a first among athletes—while recent weeks have seen bereaved families use forms of mourning dance at gravesites as a public expression of grief and defiance. Source: according to Iran International .
2026/02/19Campus Boycott Declared as Students Reject “Forced Normalization”
The Khajeh Nasir Newsletter announced it will boycott all classes starting today , reacting to the university’s decision to resume in-person lectures . In its statement, the newsletter said holding classes under current conditions is “ not an educational move ” but rather “ a dirty plot to normalize crime and bury the voice of justice-seeking under the rubble of campus silence.” It added: “ From today, we will boycott all classes until there is an understanding of the sanctity of the blood of the immortal martyrs ; and as long as the university smells of blood and repression , we will not set foot on its grounds.” Source: according to the Khajeh Nasir Newsletter statement.
2026/02/19Empty Desks, Stolen Futures: Alarm Grows Over Detained Students in Iran
As identities of 230+ children killed in Iran’s January protests were published, rights advocates warn the crackdown on children and teenagers is deepening—while authorities accelerate court processing for thousands of detained protesters , including school students . In a report citing an interview with child-rights activist Hamed Farmand , concerns focus on the long-term consequences for detained students and the wider generation. The Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations said it has identified and released the identities of 235+ children and teens killed in the January protests, calling their deaths the direct result of “ brutal repression .” The council used the hashtag #نیمکتهای_خالی (“empty desks”), saying every vacant seat is a silent cry of a generation deprived of life, security, and education , and urged an immediate end to violence, guarantees of children’s safety, and the release of all detainees. Source: according to Iran International and the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations .
2026/02/19Six Years for “Vandalism”: 19-Year-Old Student Convicted, Report Says
A student group reported that Amirsam Rahimian , 19 , a software engineering student at Yadegar-e Imam University , has been sentenced to six years in prison on charges of “destruction of public property.” The report says Rahimian was arrested on 18 Dey on Iran-Zamin Street in Shahrak-e Gharb (Tehran), and alleges he was injured during arrest after a blow to the back of his head . It also claims authorities extracted a forced confession . Source: according to Daneshjuyan-e Mottahid (United Students) .
2026/02/19Panahi Asks Berlinale to Skip His Golden Bear Tribute
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has asked the Berlin International Film Festival not to stage an in-person ceremony to honor the Golden Bear he won in 2015 (awarded in absentia), saying it should be postponed out of respect for those killed during Iran’s recent crackdown on protests. He told the festival that Iranians are even prevented from mourning publicly, and described acts of resistance such as music and dancing at graves . Panahi also invited attendees at the Berlinale event to applaud the victims in solidarity, referencing the 40th day tradition observed by families of those killed. Despite being sentenced in absentia to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda,” he said he intends to return to Iran after the Oscars . Source: according to Reuters .
2026/02/19Waltz: Iran Opposition Should Unite for a “Viable” Post-Regime Plan
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Iran’s opposition groups “ would be wise ” to unite and present a workable alternative in the event pressure on Tehran leads to regime collapse, warning the transition would need to be handled carefully given the number of factions involved. He argued the Islamic Republic has spent years preventing opposition cohesion—backed by violent repression—and said President Donald Trump is weighing inputs from advisers and partners, including consultations involving Israel. Source: according to Iran International , citing Waltz’s comments in an interview with Fox News , and Iran International’s reporting on the remarks.
2026/02/19UNICEF Urges Iran to Free Detained Children and Allow Independent Access
UNICEF said it is deeply concerned by reports that children arrested in connection with Iran’s recent nationwide unrest remain in detention , and called for an end to child detention in all its forms and the immediate release of those held. UNICEF also urged authorities to grant immediate, independent access to all detained children so their conditions, treatment, health, and wellbeing can be assessed, stressing that depriving children of liberty can leave long-lasting harms for their development and society, and that detained children must be treated with humanity and dignity and allowed regular contact with their families . Source: according to UNICEF’s statement by Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder .
2026/02/19International Legal Groups Condemn Iran’s Arrests of Lawyers and Limits on Legal Access
Ten international legal and human-rights bodies issued a joint statement condemning the detention of lawyers in Iran and the restrictions on detainees’ access to legal counsel , calling them urgent concerns that must be addressed. The statement cites the arrest of at least 17 lawyers amid the “Iranian national revolution” protests and says many detained protesters have been denied access to a defense attorney . The signatories—including the International Observatory of Lawyers in Danger , the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) , the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute , the Coalition for the Support of the Legal Profession at Risk , and Lawyers for Lawyers —urged Iran to comply with its international human-rights obligations, including the ICCPR , and the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers , and to guarantee full, unhindered access to legal counsel from the moment of arrest . Source: according to the joint statement by the 10 international legal and human-rights organizations.
2026/02/19Pezeshkian: “We’re ashamed” of shortcomings
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the government “regrets/feels ashamed” over “shortcomings” and “some events that occurred,” adding that officials “wholeheartedly” want to do something for the people. He made the remarks during meetings with political and social figures in Lorestan , while urging efforts to reduce the gap between officials and the public and acknowledging public grievances. Source: Mehr News Agency; Student News Network (SNN).
2026/02/18Iran Schools Threaten Families by SMS After Class Boycott Leaves Rooms Empty
Iran’s Education Ministry and school officials have reportedly sent threatening text messages to families after a protest boycott of classes left classrooms largely empty, according to Iran International . A screenshot shared with the outlet shows a school acknowledging a student’s absence on 28–29 Bahman and warning of disciplinary action if it continues. Iran International also reported earlier messages from families saying some schools threatened grade penalties for non-attendance. The boycott is described as linked to protests and 40th-day memorials for those killed, while videos and reports cited by the outlet show students in some schools tearing down or burning images of Iran’s leaders and chanting patriotic songs.
2026/02/18Geneva Summit Hands 2026 Courage Award to “Heroes of Iran”; Masih Alinejad Accepts
The Geneva Summit for Human Rights and Democracy awarded its 2026 Courage Award to the “Heroes of Iran” , honoring Iranians resisting repression, according to the summit’s official program and coverage of the event. Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad accepted the award on behalf of Iranians , as the summit’s ceremony segment listed the award presentation to “The Heroes of Iran.”
2026/02/18Pezeshkian: Iran Wants to Avoid War, but “Won’t Bow” to Bullying
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is not seeking war and wants to avoid conflict, but stressed Iran “will not bow” in the face of bullying, coercion, or humiliation , according to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB .
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