Amnesty International: New Attacks Against Women's Rights Activists in Iran

Amnesty International has warned about a new wave of severe actions by security officials to pressure women's rights activists in Iran since the beginning of this year. According to the organization, more than 10 women have been summoned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and subjected to prolonged intense interrogations. These individuals have been threatened with security charges. Many of them were members of a campaign launched last year to increase the presence and role of women in the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Amnesty International states that those summoned did not receive a reason for their summons, but when they found themselves in the interrogation room, they faced numerous questions and accusations linking them to "subversive groups abroad." At the same time, Amnesty International reports that these activists have faced threats and verbal abuse, including sexual threats or insults. According to the organization, the activists were not allowed to have a lawyer present during the interrogations. Article 128 of Iran's Code of Criminal Procedure states that anyone subjected to preliminary investigations can have a lawyer, but the Islamic Republic's law allows judges to deny such rights to citizens during interrogations for various reasons. Additionally, a judge can "warn" someone under investigation about recounting events that have occurred to them. Magdalena Mughrabi, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International, described such treatment of women as "shameful": "Officials treat women who are striving for equality in a decision-making institution as enemies of the regime." Amnesty International calls for an end to the intimidation and increased harassment of women's rights activists: "Striving for women's rights is not a crime." The organization notes that two main campaigns have specifically attracted the attention of security officials: the Feminist School (a website focused on women's rights activities) and the "Campaign to Change the Male Face of Parliament," which aims to "influence the political space of the country in favor of women" and "create discourse to increase women's presence in legal institutions." This campaign began during the parliamentary elections and also published a statement in cyberspace after the elections ended. Amnesty International states that activists from both campaigns have been asked to cease their activities and be cautious about their words and statements. A look at the website and social media accounts of the "Feminist School" and the "Campaign to Change the Male Face of Parliament" shows that they have not been active or updated since Bahman (January-February) of this year. According to Amnesty International, the publication "Today's Women" has also been another target of security officials' attacks. The monthly magazine was suspended in Ordibehesht 1394 (May 2015) by the Press Supervisory Board but resumed its activities from Aban (October) of the same year. Human rights defenders have also pointed to the "illegal detention" of Homa Hoodfar, a well-known Iranian-Canadian researcher; last July, after her arrest by the IRGC's intelligence protection, the Tehran public prosecutor stated that the reason for her arrest was "entering the fields of feminism and security crimes." Amnesty International states that Ms. Hoodfar is being held in Evin prison, almost cut off from communication with the outside world. Magdalena Mughrabi says that it is "frightening" that Iranian officials equate Ms. Hoodfar's valuable research on women's activities and rights in Islamic societies with security crimes. Amnesty International reports that tens of thousands of its members are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Homa Hoodfar. Iranian officials have yet to respond to Amnesty International's report and calls for Homa Hoodfar's release. Judicial and security institutions in Iran rarely react to such reports, and when they do, it is usually accompanied by condemnation of international organizations for "interference" in Iran's internal affairs.