Motion · S5M-18835 · 11 Sep 2019

Iran's Blue Girl

Lodged by Kenneth Gibson (No Party Affiliation) Standard Motion 14 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament notes with great sadness the tragic death of Sahar Khodayari on 9 September 2019; understands that, in March, the 29-year-old, disguised as a man due to women being banned from Iranian football matches, was arrested for attempting to enter Iran’s national football stadium in Tehran to watch a match between her favourite football team, Esteghlal of Iran, and Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates, during the recent AFC Asian Cup; further understands that Iran is the only country in the world that stops and punishes women seeking to enter football stadiums; notes that Sahar was dubbed the "blue girl" by Iranians on social media for the blue colour of her team's jersey; understands that, after being charged with “openly committing a sinful act by…appearing in public without a hijab” and “insulting officials”, she killed herself by self-immolation outside the Revolutionary Court in Tehran and died from her injuries, and condemns Iran’s compulsory veiling laws, which it considers continue to deny women their basic human rights, including their rights to non-discrimination, freedom of belief and religion, freedom of expression and protection from arbitrary arrests and detention.

Supporters (14)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.