Portrait Series

Following the death of 22-year-old student, Mahsa Amini, on 16 September 2022, thousands of Iranians take to the streets every day. They have been demonstrating for more freedom and equal rights. Since 2009, Iranians have revolted multiple times, but never before have the demonstrations in Iran been as massive and outspoken as those in recent months. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, since the start of the Iranian protests in the second half of September, the Iranian regime has arrested almost 20,000 Iranians and killed at least 527, including 71 children. Furthermore, hundreds of Iranian antigovernmental protesters lost their eyesight due to injuries caused by security forces firing shotguns and paintballs at their heads. Iran’s security forces have blinded over 500 protesters since mid-September. Three types of pellets are used in shotguns: birdshots, buckshot and slugs. Several young Iranians who lost one or both eyes after security forces shot at their faces, say they do not regret having protested against the regime. This portrait series deals with the young people lost their eyes and visions during these protest. Pleas do not publish the portraits under my name. Because of security issues, I prefer to publish them anonymously. In fact, if it is published under my name, I will be in danger in my country.