Deprivation of Iranian Women's Basic Human Rights; Human Rights Organizations Warn of 'Violation of Reproductive Rights' in Iran

Simultaneously with the Islamic Republic's intensified efforts to combat women's freedom of dress in Iran, human rights organizations have expressed concern over the violation of reproductive rights in the country. A group of human rights activists in Iran reported on Friday, May 10, about restrictive laws and discriminatory practices in the area of women's reproductive health, stating that the Islamic Republic systematically limits women's autonomy over their bodies and reproductive health, undermining it through discriminatory policies. The Harana news agency, while publishing this report, cited the Islamic Republic's strict and restrictive policies regarding reproduction and abortion, especially in the past decade under the pretext of 'the necessity of increasing the population,' stating: 'Since 2012, with the government's change in policies and the repeated emphasis of the Supreme Leader on preventing population decline, women's reproductive rights have been severely restricted, and their access to safe contraception and abortion services has decreased, leading to illegal abortions that pose physical risks and irreparable consequences for women.' The report also indicated that the enforcement of abortion criminalization laws and positive discrimination in favor of men in the workplace has placed Iranian women in a position where they face significant barriers to accessing essential reproductive healthcare and exercising their fundamental rights. Harana noted that the recent measures aimed at increasing the population have resulted in reduced independence for women, the continuation of traditional gender roles, and the reinforcement of social norms, adding: 'The Islamic Republic prioritizes childbearing over women's welfare and right to choose, which has dire consequences, leading to increased risks of unsafe abortion methods, exacerbation of health complications, and increased gender inequality in various aspects of life.' In conclusion, the organization emphasized that 'supporting reproductive rights is not only a matter of individual autonomy but also a fundamental aspect of human rights and human dignity,' urging the Iranian government to prioritize the health and welfare of its citizens and create a more just and inclusive society for Iranians. In the early 2010s, the Supreme Leader criticized family planning and population control policies from the 1990s and 2000s in Iran, calling for an increase in the country's population from 78 million to about 200 million. Following this request from Ali Khamenei, the Islamic Consultative Assembly approved the 'Comprehensive Population and Family Excellence Bill' in 2015, which prohibited access to contraceptive methods and voluntary sterilization. In the fall of 2021, the Guardian Council approved the 'Youth Population and Family Support Law,' which, despite its title, imposed severe restrictions on women's reproductive rights, including access to contraception and sterilization, a ban on abortion, and the continuation of systematic discrimination against them.