Model sparks anger in native Iran for wearing noose at Cannes festival in ... trends now
An Iranian model has caused a stir with her decision to wear a dress to Cannes Film Festival featuring decoration in the style of a noose to protest regime executions.
Mahlagha Jaberi, 33, posted a video of her wearing the dress to Instagram on Sunday, 'dedicated to the people of Iran' with the hashtag #StopExecutionsInIran.
She was first seen in the dress by designer Jila Saber at 'The Old Oak' red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 26.
The video and photographs of Jaberi in Cannes went viral, raising awareness of the regime's recent hangings and drawing fire from some political commentators.
Journalist Yashar Ali wrote on Twitter to his 708k followers: 'As innocent Iranians are being executed, @MahlaghaJaberi thought it would be a good idea to wear a dress that has a noose sown [sic] into it and then film a seductive video using a song that has become an anthem for protestors. Absolutely disgraceful all around.'
Mahlagha Jaberi attends the 'The Old Oak' red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 26, 2023 in Cannes, France
Jaberi is pictured wearing the controversial dress with a noose design in Cannes on May 26
Following some backlash, Jaberi responded in another post on Instagram.
She wrote: 'We wanted to make a fashion statement to observe the glamour of Cannes, but more importantly, to bring media attention to the wrongful executions of Iranian people.
'Unfortunately, political statements are not allowed at the film festival and the security stopped me from showing the back of my dress, but the ‘noose’ meaning was well understood.'
The back of the dress was seen to also have 'stop executions' written across the bottom.
Comments varied in response. The top comment, at the time of writing, read: 'All love and respect for you and the oppressed Iranian people. I wish you freedom and democracy.'
Below that, another read: 'I see what your intention was but this is in very bad taste. A noose dress? This is not how you show solidarity with people who’ve been hung. Think about black Americans.'
Jaberi's post had nearly 100,000 likes within 16 hours.
Human Rights Watch, investigating abuses worldwide, identified on May 12 an 'alarming surge in executions' since the start of the month.
They noted that since late April, authorities had executed 'at least 60 people', 'most of them executed after unfair trials or for charges, such as drug offences and two executions for "blasphemy", that under international law should never result in the death penalty.'
Tara Sepheri Far, senior Iran researcher at Human Rights Watch, said: 'Iranian authorities are apparently using executions, an inhumane punishment, following unfair trials as a show of force against its own people, who are demanding fundamental change.
'The international community should unequivocally condemn this terrifying trend and press Iranian officials to halt these executions.'
The Norway-based Iran Human Rights group said on May 19 that at least 90 had been executed since May 1, making May the bloodiest month in five years.
Iran continues to face harsh sanctions from the US, EU and
