Iranian Artists' Association Abroad Protests Ban on Artistic Activities of Several Opponents of Mandatory Hijab

The Iranian Artists' Association for Film and Theater Abroad issued a statement protesting the ban on artistic activities of several actresses opposing mandatory hijab by the Islamic Republic. The association begins its statement with the title "Once Again, a Discriminatory and Anti-Women Government Ruling." The statement notes that "in a list published by the Islamic Republic's media, several actresses who appeared in public without hijabs in solidarity with the Women, Life, Freedom movement have been declared banned from working." It mentions actresses such as Katayoun Riahi, Pantea Bahram, Fatemeh Motamed-Arya, Golab Adineh, Hengameh Qaziani, Maryam Bobani, Baran Kowsari, and Taraneh Alidoosti. It also refers to actresses like Pegah Ahangarani, Afsaneh Bayegan, Shabnam Farshadjou, Chekameh Chamanmah, and Shiva Ebrahimi, who left Iran due to governmental pressures. The Iranian Artists' Association for Film and Theater states: "These brave women undertook this action fully aware of the consequences of removing their hijabs in public, and it is clear that they will not be intimidated by the atmosphere of terror and job insecurity that the Islamic Republic has created for them." The association further recalls that many prominent figures in Iranian film and theater have refrained from participating in the Islamic Republic's cinematic and television productions during the recent protest movement. The statement continues: "Since its establishment, the Islamic Republic has imposed numerous pressures on female actors, resulting in prominent figures such as Susan Taslimi, Golshifteh Farahani, Zar Amir-Ebrahimi, Shabnam Tolu'i, and many others being deprived of cinematic activities and forced to leave Iran." The Iranian Artists' Association for Film and Theater Abroad expresses full support for these "brave and freedom-seeking" women, protesting against the "unjust and discriminatory rulings" and the oppression that the Islamic Republic has imposed on Iranian women and female actors for years. The association concludes by emphasizing that "the apartheid and systematic gender discrimination of the Islamic Republic is truly shameful, but the resistance of our aware women will break it down." Additionally, following the widespread protests that began in September 2022, several Iranian artists and actresses criticized mandatory hijab and called for its repeal. Some of these artists were arrested and imprisoned, and the government pressured them in various ways. The publication of a list of banned actors by Islamic Republic officials has faced protests from many artists and organizations such as the House of Cinema. Reactions to the ban on several actresses opposing mandatory hijab continue.