Implementation of 'One-Hour Movement Restriction' for Girls in the Cultural University Dormitory in Tabriz

A student union organization revealed in a report about the status of dormitories that new restrictions, including a 'one-hour movement restriction' for female students in Tabriz, have been imposed, comparing it to 'prison.' The Iranian Student Guild Council reported on August 21, just before the anniversary of the nationwide protests 'Women, Life, Freedom,' stating that the restrictions announced for dormitories, especially for girls at the Cultural University of Tabriz, are not even 'in place in prisons.' The report emphasized that the 'freedoms' of students are 'shrinking day by day' and that students are treated as if they are 'criminals' and the dormitory is their prison. According to the decision of the authorities at the Cultural University of Tabriz in the 'Sisters' Unit (Al-Zahra),' a 'one-hour movement restriction' has been imposed for girls who stay in the dormitory during the summer semester exam break, and each time a student leaves the dormitory, it is recorded. The Student Guild Council emphasized that wearing a chador has become mandatory for girls at this university, and student dormitories have been in 'poor condition' for a long time, facing various restrictions and welfare issues, especially for girls. According to the report, in the girls' dormitory of the Cultural University of Tabriz, students can only 'leave the dormitory for one hour during the day,' and 'the duration of each exit is recorded,' and if a student is 'outside the dormitory for more than one hour, they are referred to security.' Furthermore, if these regulations are not followed, university officials contact the student's family, and their student card is 'confiscated, and they are prohibited from leaving the dormitory,' and if repeated, they are sent to the 'disciplinary committee.' Based on this report, students have stated that for nearly 10 days, they have not been allowed to leave the dormitory 'at all, even for urgent matters,' and officials do not permit students to stay in 'self-managed lodgings' because, according to the authorities, 'when a student goes out, it creates trouble.' Additionally, in the boys' dormitory, it has been reported that '10 students live in a 20-square-meter room and 25 to 30 students in a 40-square-meter room,' while 'there is no air conditioning or ventilation.' The quality of food is 'very low,' and 'many students have suffered from food poisoning.' According to this report, in addition to the 'lack of security around the university' and numerous reports of 'car theft and mugging,' dormitory officials have told students not to 'lock their doors,' and boys are not allowed to wear short pants. Pressure on students in various universities in Iran has intensified ahead of the anniversary of the nationwide protests in Iran. As the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and the nationwide protests in Iran approaches, student news channels have also reported on the summons and interrogation of several students from Jundi-Shapur University in Ahvaz, Amir Kabir University in Tehran, and Isfahan University of Technology by security agencies. Following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in custody of the morality police on September 16, 2022, and the outbreak of nationwide protests, universities in Iran became one of the main centers of gatherings, with many slogans against the Islamic Republic and its leaders. Prince Reza Pahlavi stated on Sunday evening to Voice of America that 'the street is our trench' and 'it must be maintained until the time for regime change arrives.' In addition to the intensification of pressures on students, in recent days, summons, arrests, and threats against civil and political activists and also families of those seeking justice have increased. The U.S. government has repeatedly emphasized the rights of the people of Iran, including their right to freedom of expression. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, in response to the increased pressures on women in Iran, stated on July 18 that the Islamic Republic has not learned from recent protests.