Iranian embassy road in London ‘should be renamed Mahsa Amini Street’

Mahsa Amini’s death sparked mass protests   (REUTERS)
Mahsa Amini’s death sparked mass protests (REUTERS)

Campaigners have called for the road the Iranian Embassy sits on in London to be renamed in memory of Mahsa Amini - the 22 year old woman whose killing sparked mass protests.

Mahsa Amini died shortly after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly breaking the country's strict laws which require women to cover their hair.

Her family have said they believe she was tortured while detained in police custody.

Following her death, women across Iran have taken to the streets in protest - despite facing brutal repression at the hands of the regime for breaking the law.

The demonstrations, drawing school-age children, oil workers and others in more than 100 Iranian cities, represent the most-serious challenge to the country's theocracy since the ferocious protests surrounding its disputed 2009 presidential election.

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

London's Iranian Embassy, at Princes Gate in Kensington, has also been the scene of protests.

Liberal Democrat Foreign Affairs spokesman Layla Moran has proposed renaming the road of the embassy in memory of Mahsa Amini.

In a letter to the leader of Westminster City Council Adam Hug, Ms Moran said that it would be “a symbol of solidarity with the Iranian people” and “an appropriate way to memorialise Mahsa Amini”.

“Mahsa Amini’s death at the hands of the Iranian regime is a tragedy," she said.

"The UK must do all we can to condemn the Iranian regime for their brutal actions - against Mahsa, and against all those brave women who have taken to the streets in protest.

“Renaming the street of the Iranian Embassy to ‘Mahsa Amini Street’ would be a fitting way to memorialise the young woman who has inspired so many, in Iran and across the world.

“It would serve as an important reminder of the crimes and hypocrisy of the Iranian regime, and send a clear message that the UK stands in solidarity with the women of Iran.”