Human Rights Activists React to Recent Sentences: The Islamic Republic Focuses on Humiliating Women

The Human Rights Activists in Iran condemned the issuance of 'humiliating and disproportionate' sentences against women for reasons related to mandatory hijab, coinciding with the return of 'morality police' to the streets. According to the Harana news agency, this human rights organization stated that the escalation of confrontations with Iranian women and girls puts the dignity, rights, and future of millions of Iranian women at 'serious risk.' They added: 'It seems that the Islamic Republic, on the eve of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, is focusing on humiliating women by relying on mandatory hijab laws, and likely hopes to minimize the political consequences of this action in the international community by applying pressure through humiliation instead of imprisonment, alongside advancing its demands.' The Human Rights Activists in Iran further emphasized that 'the return of the morality police is extremely concerning and raises alarm bells about potential severe consequences for girls and women in the country.' They stated: 'These actions indicate a further regression in gender rights and individual freedoms and have apparently turned into an organized and systematic campaign aimed at humiliating and controlling all aspects of citizens' lives.' At the end of this statement, the organization stressed that it believes the dignity, rights, and future of millions of Iranian women are increasingly at risk, and that unfair and disproportionate sentences against women and girls must be immediately revoked. The Islamic Republic must urgently heed the months-long demands of activists and the international community and guarantee the rights of women and girls in laws and practice.' In recent weeks, the issuance of certain judicial sentences against a number of women with 'optional hijab' by the judiciary has faced strong reactions from the public and human rights organizations. Javid Rahman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, described the return of the morality police as 'a further violation of women's rights through mandatory hijab.' John Kirby, the National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House, also stated: 'After the killing of Mahsa Amini and public protests, the people of Iran should now be able to make decisions for themselves and women should choose their own attire, and the U.S. should exert more pressure on the Islamic Republic.'