Iranian diaspora form human chain on Wellington waterfront

Ali Jafari-Gh, an Iranian-born academic who teaches at Massey University, joined a demonstration in Wellington to show support for those in Iran living under repression. Photo / RNZ, Penny Smith

By Penny Smith of RNZ

Members of New Zealand’s Iranian community and their supporters have formed a human chain on Wellington’s waterfront, calling attention to the situation in Iran and expressing solidarity with people they say are living under repression.

About 60 people from the Iranian diaspora and their supporters stood hand-in-hand for about an hour on Saturday holding placards and flags on the capital’s waterfront behind Frank Kitts Park.

Protesters said they organised the event to draw attention to what they describe as widespread unrest and government crackdowns inside the country.

Many participants said they had family members in Iran and were concerned about their safety.

Among those attending was Ali Jafari-Gh, an Iranian-born academic who teaches animal science at Massey University.

Originally from Karaj, near Tehran, Jafari-Gh said he had travelled to Iran over the New Year period and witnessed protests first-hand.

He joined demonstrations during his visit and was injured when security forces opened fire.

“I was hit in the foot by gunfire,” he said.

“Many of the people out on the streets were young and thousands came out to protest.”

Jafari-Gh said the experience reinforced his decision to speak publicly in New Zealand about the situation in his home country.

Shirin, who has lived in New Zealand for about 13 years after leaving Iran, said she joined the demonstration to show support for people protesting against the Government.

“People raised their voices because life has become very hard,” Shirin said.

“Many innocent people have been killed or arrested. We are here to support them and show they are not alone.”

Several protesters said they supported international strikes against Iranian Government targets, describing them as a necessary intervention rather than a war.

Dr Reza Farhour, a general practitioner who has lived in New Zealand for more than a decade, said demonstrators believed the action was aimed at helping ordinary Iranians rather than harming them.

“We do not see what is happening as a war,” he said.

“We see it as a rescue mission for the Iranian people. People have tried for decades to change the system peacefully and were met with bullets and prison.”

Farhour said the aim of the gathering was also to bring attention to what he described as a lack of information coming out of the country.

“The main aim is to echo the Iranian voice, which is shut down by the Government,” he said.

“There is no internet and no media coverage there, so we want people here to know what is happening.”

Participants said communication with relatives in Iran had become increasingly difficult because of internet shutdowns and media restrictions.

Amir, who has lived in New Zealand for more than 16 years, said he had struggled to reach family members in recent weeks.

“Our families are living in fear, but they are also hopeful,” he said.

“Nobody wants their country to be under attack, but many people believe this operation could help free them from the regime.”

- RNZ