http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/699375/protest-Iranian-town-ban-women-bicycle
Hundreds protest after Iranian police arrest ‘un-Islamic’ women caught riding a bicycle
EXTREME authorities in a conservative Iranian town have been hit with protests after they banned women from riding bicycles – because it “goes against Islam”.
Local authorities forced police to arrest any woman caught on a bicycle because they believe it “goes against Islam“.
Since the end of July, police have arrested several women caught on bicycles
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Hundreds of people marched their bikes through the streets of Marivan
According to the local iman, women should not cycle because it goes counter to the teachings of Islam
A woman is heard replying that if she can cycle in the rest of Iran, there is no reason that she shouldn’t be allowed to cycle in Marivan.
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On July 26, the police ordered women to stop cycling
“This latest restrictive measure shows that misogyny is being stepped up under Hassan Rouhani’s administration.”
The news comes just a week after 150 people were arrested for attending a mixed-sex party near Tehran.
Colonel Mohsen Khancherli, police commander for the Tehran Province said: “Some 150 boys and girls had gathered at the mixed-gender party under the guise of a birthday party in this garden which is situated next to a studio where unlawful music was produced and recorded.
“Upon arrival of the police, all those present were arrested and sent before the judiciary.”
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Hundreds of people marched their bikes through the streets of Marivan
Some parks in the country have gender-segregated cycle lanes.
In a recent report, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said human rights in Iran had worsened despite President Rouhani’s pledges to improve freedoms.
Laws drafted by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni would limit access to birth control and force women into having unsafe clandestine abortions.
