Human Rights Watch Criticizes Arrest of Instagram Dancers in Iran

Human Rights Watch expressed regret over the broadcast of confessions from Instagram dancers and urged Iranian authorities to respect the freedom of expression of these individuals and cease their harassment. Sarah Leah Whitson, the organization's Middle East director, described the televised confessions of these teenagers as "humiliating and shameful," stating that this act represents a new "degradation" for the Islamic Republic. Whitson added, "The Iranian government has long been at war with its people's culture and is losing this battle. Despite the insulting actions of officials, the rich cultural productions of Iranians, especially in the age of social media, continue." On Tuesday, state television aired a program titled "Off the Path," in which several girls expressed remorse for their activities on Instagram. Maedeh Hejabi, a 17-year-old detainee, was seen crying in front of the confession-taking host. According to Human Rights Watch, Elnaz Ghasemi, another detainee who resides in Canada, was arrested during her visit to Iran. Immediately after the broadcast of these confessions, a wave of critical reactions emerged against the program and the overall state television, eventually prompting responses from Islamic Republic officials. Gholamreza Kateb, a member of the parliamentary oversight council for state television, reported that "numerous complaints" have been filed by the "Children's Support Association and various social groups" to the oversight council, which will address these complaints in its next meeting. Ali Motahari, the deputy speaker of parliament, also stated that state television committed a crime by airing the confessions of girls who had posted their dancing on Instagram. Meanwhile, Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, the communications minister, claimed that the airing of these confessions was intended to divert public attention from those whose interests are threatened by transparency in the currency market. State television, the police, and the judiciary have not taken responsibility for airing the "Off the Path" program, but the director of state television's public relations defended the broadcast and described informing the public about "the harms of cyberspace" as a "fundamental duty" of state television. These statements come as Human Rights Watch emphasizes that according to international law, freedom of expression includes the right of individuals to pursue, receive, and express any ideas "in the form of art." The organization also noted Iran's ratification of the "International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights," which emphasizes individuals' freedom for "creative activities." Criticism of the suppression of women's activities against compulsory hijab. Additionally, Human Rights Watch on Wednesday criticized the Islamic Republic's crackdown on protesters in the "Girls of Revolution Street" campaign and protests against compulsory hijab. The organization referenced the prison sentences of Narges Hosseini and Shaparak Shajari Zadeh, and also protested the arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer for several of the "Girls of Revolution Street." Narges Hosseini and Shaparak Shajari Zadeh have each been sentenced to two years in prison. Meanwhile, the court has imposed an 18-year suspended sentence for Ms. Shajari Zadeh, and her lawyer, Ms. Sotoudeh, was arrested on June 13 following a complaint from the investigating judge in Ms. Shajari Zadeh's case and is currently in Evin prison. Human Rights Watch considers the compulsory hijab for Iranian women a violation of their private life, personal independence, freedom of expression, and their freedom of religion and belief, and has urged Iranian authorities to end the harassment and legal prosecution of women for expressing their opinions. This human rights organization also pointed out that international laws prohibit gender discrimination, deeming the compulsory hijab for women in Iran a form of gender discrimination, and stated that the Islamic Republic must abolish discriminatory laws such as compulsory hijab for women.