Brisbane to light landmarks in Iranian colours

Brisbane’s landmarks will be lit in green, white and red this weekend as a sign of a support for a movement making international headlines.

Brisbane’s landmarks will be lit in the colours of the Iranian flag this weekend in a tribute to an Iranian woman who died in a Tehran hospital just hours after she was detained for not wearing her hijab in line with government regulations.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner made the announcement on social media on Wednesday night, saying Mahsa Amini’s death had highlighted the plight of Iranian people.

“The tragic death of Mahsa Amini has placed a global spotlight on the suppression and hardships faced by the people of Iran and, in particular, Iranian women,” Cr Schrinner wrote on Instagram.

Brisbane's Victoria Bridge and Reddacliff Place will be lit in the colours of the Iranian flag this Saturday in a show of support for Iran's people. Photo: Adrian Schrinner.

“Everyone has a right to equality and freedom, and we stand in solidarity with the many thousands of people who continue to support freedom in Iran.”

Mahsa Amini was arrested by the Guidance Patrol, a section of Iran’s police force tasked with enforcing religious morality, after she was seen not wearing her hijab correctly.

An Iranian police spokesperson said Ms Amini had suffered a heart attack after her arrest, collapsed, and was taken to hospital in a coma, but eyewitnesses – including a number of women in the area – said she had been beaten and died as a result of police brutality.

The alleged incident took place on September 16, 2022.

Cr Schrinner’s post about the issue drew widespread appreciation online, with many writing messages of support.

“Thank you for being our voice,” a number of Iranians wrote.

Others said they hoped other landmarks around the country would follow suit, with at least one tagging the Sydney Opera House asking if they would also adopt the green, white, and red colours.

Thousands of protesters exclaimed “be our voice,” when they marched through Brisbane streets on September 24, in a demonstration from supporters and members of the Iranian diaspora who demanded freedoms in their homeland.

“The Australian Government remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Iran and strongly urged the Iranian authorities to respect the human rights of its citizens,” The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trading website said.

Australia continued to implement sanctions on Iran while the European Union is investigating Iranian involvement in Russia‘s war on Ukraine after reports that Iranian-made drones attacked civilian targets in Kyiv on 17 October.

Ukrainian leaders had accused the Russian military of using the drones, which can be loaded with explosives and programmed to strike specific GPS co-ordinates, against buildings in Kyiv in ‘kamikaze’ style attacks.