Reactions to the News of a 98% Increase in Street Harassment; 'It Is Not True'

The commander of the Greater Tehran Police and the spokesperson for the Iranian judiciary have rejected the statistics from the strategic deputy of the judiciary regarding a 98% increase in street harassment, both stating that such a report 'is not true.' On Saturday, November 17, a representative from the strategic deputy of the judiciary mentioned in the first session of the Violence Prevention Committee that, according to police statistics, the level of harassment against women and girls in 2014 increased by 98% compared to 2012. However, on Sunday, November 18, Hossein Sajjadi-Nia, the commander of the Tehran Police, told Iranian news agencies that he does not accept this statistic and denies the '98% increase in verbal assaults and street harassment' in Tehran. Simultaneously, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i, the spokesperson for the judiciary, in his press conference on Sunday, responded to a question about the statistics from the Violence Prevention Committee by stating that it is better to obtain news on such matters 'through the spokesperson of the judiciary, as these are specialized topics.' Eje'i explained that while complaints of street harassment may be raised, these complaints may not be substantiated in the prosecutor's office, and even after the prosecutor's office, these accusations may be dismissed in court, but 'may still be counted in the provided statistics.' He emphasized that, in fact, statistics show that 'the average trend of violent crimes is decreasing.' The spokesperson for the judiciary then described the state of violent crimes in Iran compared to other countries as 'even the USA, if not exemplary, at least noteworthy,' adding that 'we are not satisfied with this level and it must be reduced.' On Saturday, Iranian news agencies also reported, citing Fatemeh Daneshvar, a member of the Tehran City Council, about the prevalence of baby trafficking around some hospitals in southern Tehran. The commander of the Tehran Police considered this issue to be actionable and stated on Sunday that he asks Ms. Daneshvar to provide any statistics or information regarding baby trafficking or the existence of underground networks for baby smuggling to the police, 'as this is entirely a police matter and can be pursued.' According to Fars News Agency, Fatemeh Daneshvar, head of the Social Committee of the Tehran City Council, stated that a number of 'homeless and sex worker' women sell their newborns after childbirth in some hospitals in southern and central Tehran for prices ranging from 100,000 to 200,000 tomans. Ms. Daneshvar identified these newborns as 'mostly HIV-positive,' which due to various illnesses and improper care do not have long lifespans, and various gangs, including 'beggars,' buy them.