Sediqe Vosoughi and Nasrin Sotoudeh: A Large Number of People Will Protest the Hijab Law

Sediqe Vosoughi, an Islamic scholar and critic of the Islamic Republic, and Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, issued a joint statement protesting the so-called Hijab and Chastity Law, calling for the immediate repeal of this "ridiculous display" and all forms of violence against women. In a message published on Sunday, December 2, on Vosoughi's Instagram, they warned that if this law is not repealed, they and a large number of people will exercise their civil right to protest this "shameful act." Vosoughi and Sotoudeh referred to the Women, Life, Freedom protests, which "were sparked by the protest against compulsory hijab," emphasizing that the majority of society has repeatedly opposed the previous hijab law, risking all dangers. They continued by stating that this time, the government has imposed compulsory hijab in the form of a medieval law called Hijab and Chastity, which strips all women of their citizenship rights. The two civil activists called on those who "illegally hold the political reins of the country" to end all forms of violence against women and repeal this law. Vosoughi and Sotoudeh warned that otherwise, they and "certainly a large number of people will exercise their civil right to protest this shameful act in public." According to this regulation, officially titled "Law for the Support of Family through the Promotion of Chastity and Hijab," heavy fines in the millions have been set for women who do not comply with the compulsory hijab. The publication of this text has sparked widespread reactions from lawyers, political activists, civil figures, and social media users. Vosoughi, an Islamic scholar residing in Iran, has repeatedly protested against the government's treatment of women regarding optional dress and has deemed the compulsory hijab policy a "failed" one. In November 2023, in a protest action against this religious regime, she removed her hijab and published a video of herself without the compulsory hijab on her social media account. At that time, Vosoughi stated in an interview with Radio Farda that she views this action as a protest against the ruling religious system's treatment of women who strive for "optional dress." She was arrested at her home on March 16 and released on May 10 this year due to a worsening illness that had previously led to her blindness. From within Evin Prison, she also declared that the compulsory hijab policy is a failed policy. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, is also one of the protesters against compulsory hijab, having been arrested multiple times on the same charge, and has faced legal cases. In 2010, she was tried for "appearing without a legal hijab at the interrogation branch" due to non-compliance with the compulsory hijab. In her latest incident in November 2023, she was arrested when she appeared without compulsory covering at the funeral of Armita Garavand, leading to a new legal case against her. Armita Garavand was a student who, in September 2023, fainted after encountering a group known as "Hijab Patrol" in the Tehran Metro for not complying with the compulsory hijab and died about a month later. The severe government crackdown and the risk of protests becoming "underground" are evident, as doctors and eyewitnesses recount the injuries from the protests.