Increased Security and Judicial Pressure on Civil Activists Ahead of International Women's Day

The Iran Human Rights Campaign stated in a statement on the occasion of "March 8, International Women's Day" that the Islamic Republic has intensified security and judicial pressures on women activists in Iran as this day approaches. The Hengaw Human Rights Organization also reported the summons of three civil and women's rights activists from Sanandaj. The Iran Human Rights Campaign emphasized that in recent weeks, security agencies have attempted to silence the voices of women activists and equality-seekers in Iran with a new wave of arrests, summonses, and targeted arbitrary actions. This human rights organization noted that these actions occur while women in Iran continue to face a wide range of structural and legal discriminations, especially in the family institution and choice of attire. The statement referred to the raid by security forces on the home of Hasti Amiri on Wednesday, March 6, emphasizing that this civil-student activist was given five days to present herself to the "Sacred" security prosecutor's office. According to this campaign, another civil activist, Marzieh Ghafari, who has been detained since January 31, has been transferred from solitary confinement to the women's ward of Evin Prison after 17 days, and judicial authorities have opposed her release on bail. The campaign reported that Arzoo Jalilzadeh, a teacher in Sardasht, was also arrested at her home by security forces on March 4, and her family has not received any information about her whereabouts or the reason for her arrest. Simultaneously, the Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported the summons of three civil and women's rights activists from Sanandaj ahead of March 8, stating that they were released after signing a written commitment to refrain from participating in or organizing any gatherings related to this issue. According to Hengaw, Simin Chaychi, a poet and writer, and Soraya Khodari and Bahar Zangi Band were summoned by the Sanandaj prosecutor's office and prohibited from any activities on International Women's Day. Soraya Khodari was arrested by security forces at her home on September 20, 2022. Bahar Zangi Band was also arrested by security forces on the same day and released after 20 days. This former physical education professor at Azad University of Sanandaj has been barred from teaching at the university by the university's security and government agencies. Simin Chaychi was also arrested in 2022 and released after some time. Narges Mohammadi: The struggle of Iranian women against gender apartheid continues. The United Nations: The rights of women and girls worldwide continue to be violated.