Mahsa Amini Garden

Mahsa Amini Garden is a small, intimate green space in the Brussels municipality of Uccle, at the corner of Engeland street and Avenue Saint-Job, close to Calevoet station. It was created as a memorial dedicated to Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman who died on 16 September 2022 in police custody after being arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code. Her death sparked mass protests across Iran and became one of the symbols of the global women's rights movement known under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom."

Why a memorial garden in Uccle?

The Uccle municipal authorities chose to create the garden as a gesture of solidarity with the Iranian woman and, more broadly, with women fighting for basic freedoms. It is a local response with a clearly international dimension, echoing events that resonated worldwide, including in Belgium, where numerous demonstrations were held in support of Iranian protesters.

What can visitors see in the garden?

Two commemorative plaques have been placed in the garden. The first recalls the circumstances of the young woman's death and the wider context of the tragedy. The second was designed by Iranian calligrapher Majid Ahadpour and bears the inscription "Woman, Life, Freedom" — a slogan chanted during protests both inside and outside Iran.

At the garden's inauguration, two art installations were also presented, on display until 3 December 2023. One was composed of headscarves, which have become one of the symbols of the struggle for freedom in Iran — wearing or removing a headscarf there carries a political and social weight that goes far beyond a simple question of clothing. The other installation, made of red shoes, referred to the issue of femicide in Belgium — red shoes being an internationally recognised symbol commemorating women killed as a result of gender-based violence.

A place of remembrance, not just a park

The Mahsa Amini Garden differs from Uccle's typical green corners in that its main purpose is not recreation but reflection and remembrance. It brings together two threads: the municipality's local care for public space, and global solidarity with the women's movement in Iran and the fight against violence against women wherever it occurs. The plaques and installations turn a walk through the garden into a brief lesson in recent history.

The Calevoet neighbourhood where the garden sits is a quiet, mostly residential part of Uccle, away from the bustle of central Brussels. This gives the place a contemplative character, better suited to a moment of pause and reflection than to a quick stop on the way to other attractions.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is the garden located? At the corner of Engeland street and Avenue Saint-Job in Uccle, near Calevoet railway station.

Who is the garden dedicated to? Mahsa Amini, an Iranian woman who died in police custody in 2022, and more broadly to women fighting for freedom and against violence.

Are there any features to see there? Yes, two commemorative plaques, including one designed by an Iranian calligrapher. Temporary art installations were also displayed there previously.

Is it a large park? No — it is a small, intimate space with the character of a memorial rather than an extensive recreational park.

How do you get there? The easiest way is by train or tram to the Calevoet stop, from which the garden is within a short walking distance.