The Islamic Republic of Iran is based on a system, both in law and in practice, that fundamentally discriminates on the grounds of genderthe update said, highlighting the far-reaching implications for women’s and girls’ bodily autonomy, freedom of expression and religion, and a wide range of economic, social and cultural rights.
The increased repression comes two years after the unlawful death in custody of 22-year-old Jina Mahasa Amini, who was arrested by Iran’s “morality police” in Tehran on September 13, 2022 for allegedly failing to comply with Iran’s compulsory sex laws. headscarf.
Her death sparked protests across the country demanding accountability and an end to discrimination, under the signature slogan “Woman, Life, Liberty.”
Increase in violence, surveillance, executions
Iranian security forces have escalated pre-existing patterns of physical violenceincluding hitting, kicking and beating women and girls who do not comply with the mandatory rules. headscarf laws and regulations, according to the UN report Independent international fact-finding mission about Iran.
The state authorities also have supervision over headscarf compliance with laws and regulations in both the public and private spheres through the increased use of surveillance, including drones.
Meanwhile, over the past two years, The death penalty and other criminal laws have been used to terrorize Iranians and prevent them from protesting and expressing themselves freely, the researchers said.
This new pattern of sentencing female activists to death – including women from ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, after being convicted of national security crimes – raised deep concerns in the update.
Amid such escalation of violence, a bill on ‘Hijab and Chastity’ is in the final stages of approval and is likely to be finalised.
The bill will impose harsher penalties on women who fail to wear mandatory face masks. headscarfincluding excessive financial penalties, longer prison sentences, restrictions on work and education opportunities, and travel bans, the independent human rights experts allege.
The situation of women must remain ‘high on the agenda’
The Mission calls on Iran to immediately stop executing protesters and consider abolishing the death penalty altogether, releasing all people arbitrarily arrested in connection with the protests, and ending all repressive policies and institutional measures against women and girls, including the “Hijab and Chastity” law.
“Without deterrent state measures to address the increasing violations of women and girls’ rights, there is no realistic hope that victims and survivors can fully and meaningfully access the fundamental rights and freedoms to which they are entitled.and which the Islamic Republic of Iran must respect and safeguard,” the update warned.
Given the widespread impunity in Iran, including for crimes against humanity, the Mission calls on UN Member States to scale up their efforts to safeguard the rights of victims and their families.
“States must continue to place the situation of women and girls in the Islamic Republic of Iran high on the international agenda,” the update said.
