Government's Efforts to Impose 'Mandatory Hijab' in Universities; Identification of 'Improper Attire' with Identity Recognition Cameras

The Amir Kabir Newsletter reported the installation of cameras in the campuses of Amir Kabir and Beheshti universities, stating that students are being summoned by phone 'due to their attire.' According to the report, the installed cameras are being used as a new tool for repression regarding dress code. An 'informed source' told the Amir Kabir Newsletter that 'security agents are also reviewing internal educational environment cameras to identify students who they believe have violated dress codes, and they will take the strictest action against them.' Students believe that phone summons based on Article 69 of the disciplinary regulations approved in November 2022 is 'illegal.' However, the article cited by these students refers to addressing the issue after 'five working days from notification,' and the article related to the manner of 'summoning' students to the 'disciplinary committee' is Article 68 of the same regulations, which states in its Note 1 that 'all proceedings' must be conducted 'through telephone notification and with a minimum notice period of 24 hours.' In this context, students are also protesting against phone summons 'without stating the subject' and consider it 'illegal,' which aligns with the provisions of Note 1 of Article 68 that emphasizes that the 'invitation letter' must include 'complete student details, the subject or title of the alleged violation, the reason for the invitation, the date and time of attendance, and the name, position, and signature of the summoner.' Nevertheless, the reference to disciplinary regulations occurs while many independent legal experts believe that various sections of the 'disciplinary' regulations, including the cited regulation, contradict human rights principles such as freedom of expression, freedom of belief and conscience, and freedom of assembly and association. Yesterday, student news sources reported the establishment of 'hijab patrols' at Tehran University, requiring students to wear 'headscarves and long coats' down to 'below the knee.' The public relations channel of 'United Students' reported on Tuesday, October 4, that the security of Tehran University prevented students wearing headscarves from entering through the main gate and announced that to enter, students 'must wear headscarves and coats down to below the knee.' According to this student channel, 'hijab patrols have also begun operating in the central area of Tehran University.' As part of the government's efforts to impose the desired dress code of the Islamic Republic on students, the Ministry of Health has also issued an executive guideline for the dress code of medical students and assistants, emphasizing restrictions on attire, makeup, use of perfume, and 'adherence to Sharia limits' in interactions with 'non-mahram.' According to the Ministry of Health's directive issued on Wednesday, September 20, titled 'Regulations on Behavior and Dress Code for Students and Assistants' for the new academic year, wearing 'short or tight clothing, open-front coats, silk, lace, or open-collar clothing' is prohibited. Tehran University also implemented a resolution from its cultural council regarding dealing with opponents of mandatory hijab in January 2023. Following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the 'Guidance Patrol,' widespread protests against mandatory hijab have emerged, and many well-known actors and figures in Iran have removed their hijabs, with students at many universities also supporting the protesters' demands. However, Islamic Republic officials have not backed down from their strict policies regarding hijab. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, described Islamic hijab last year, four months after widespread protests, as 'a religious necessity and inviolable' and declared that not adhering to mandatory hijab is 'politically and religiously forbidden.' Nevertheless, in recent months, various reports of civil resistance by women and opponents of mandatory hijab have been published in social media and media outlets, indicating that a significant portion of society is unwilling to accept the government's imposition and coercion regarding hijab.