Death to the Dictator
Death to the Dictator (Persian: مرگ بر دیکتاتور; Marg bar Diktator) is a widely used political slogan against the Islamic Republic of Iran often chanted by Iranian protesters, especially during the 2022 Iranian protests, in streets and public places or written on walls and public passages.[1][2][3][4] The target of these slogans is primarily Ali Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The slogan has also been used historically in protests against dictatorial and monarchical regimes in other countries.[5]
Background
[edit]Islamic Republic period
[edit]The slogan has been repeatedly used during the Islamic Republic period following various incidents leading to public dissatisfaction with the regime:
In January 2020, after the deadly downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) air defense system, protesters gathered in streets and at the crash site chanting this and other anti-government slogans.[6]
In May 2022, following the sharp increase in prices of essential goods, protests erupted in several Iranian cities with chants of "Death to the Dictator."[7][8]
In August 2022, amid the water crisis in Khuzestan, protesters in Khuzestan and neighboring provinces opposed water transfers and mismanagement by the IRGC and government, chanting "Death to the Dictator."[9]
2022 Iranian protests
[edit]On November 3, 2022, during the 40th day commemoration of some victims of the 2022 Iranian protests in Karaj, large crowds gathered on Beheshti Boulevard chanting slogans such as "Khamenei is a murderer, his rule is invalid," "Death to the Dictator," and "Freedom, Freedom, Freedom."[10]
Dictator and Dictatorship
[edit]A dictator is a political leader who holds absolute power. A country ruled by a dictator is called a dictatorship. The term originates from an office in the Roman Republic where a magistrate was appointed by the Roman Senate during emergencies to rule the republic temporarily.[11]
The term "Dictator" refers to a person who, despite not being a monarch, rules a country with absolute and unchecked authority, often overriding elected governments and forcing officials and cabinets to comply with personal orders.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ شعار « مرگ بر دیکتاتور» و «مرگ بر خامنه‌ای» در متروی تهران؛ ۳ آبان (in Persian). 2022-10-25. Retrieved 2025-06-22 – via ir.voanews.com.
- ^ تداوم شعارنویسی‌ها؛ شعار «مرگ بر دیکتاتور» بر دیوارهای کرج (in Persian). 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2025-06-22 – via ir.voanews.com.
- ^ Nassauer, Anne (2021-03-02). ""Whose streets? Our streets!": Negotiations of Space and Violence in Protests". Social Problems. 68 (4): 852–869. doi:10.1093/socpro/spaa051. ISSN 0037-7791.
- ^ "مرگ بر دیکتاتور". تریبون زمانه. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "فریاد مرگ بر دیکتاتور در خیابان‌های بانکوک!". روزنامه توسعه ایرانی (in Persian). 2020-10-19. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ Ukrainian plane tragedy; January 2020 protests - Melliun
- ^ "ادامه اعتراضات با فریاد «مرگ بر دیکتاتور» در شهرهای ایران". العربیه فارسی (in Persian). 2022-05-17. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ "ایران پرس نیوز | نیویورک تایمز: شعار مرگ بر دیکتاتور در شهرهای ایران". IranPressNews. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
- ^ Javanehha - 12th day of thirsty uprising - 'Death to the Dictator'
- ^ "40th day of protests; widespread demonstrations and clashes across Iranian cities". Radio Farda. 2022-11-03. Retrieved 2022-11-04.
- ^ "Definition of DICTATOR". Retrieved 2017-08-29.
- ^ "چیستی شعار«مرگ بر دیکتاتور»". rasekhoon.net. Retrieved 2025-06-22.
External links
[edit]| Politics | |
|---|---|
| Policies | |
| Books and messages |
|
| Family |
|
| Economy | |
