Statement by 170 Political Activists Criticizing the Priority of 'Mandatory Hijab' and Emphasizing the Necessity of 'Separation' of Religion and Government

In a statement, 170 political activists highlighted the 'umbrella of economic exploitation, political despotism, and religious tyranny' over the country, criticizing the priority given to 'mandatory hijab' and calling for 'the separation and independence of the two institutions of religion and government.' The signatories of this statement pointed out the heavy 'shadow of strictness and repression over the nation, especially the women's community,' stating: 'Ignorance and inefficiency in the macro management of the country, along with the chronic and pervasive spread of corruption, have revealed the destructive effects of the flawed governance structure and method.' In their statement, these 170 political activists provided statistics on the extent of poverty, school dropouts, declining economic participation of women, and the rise of social harms such as addiction, unemployment, and increased suicides in society, emphasizing that these issues are 'just a small fraction of the multitude of visible and evident signs of the suffering of the people, especially in underprivileged areas.' The statement also referenced the 'painful suicide of six laid-off workers from the Chavar petrochemical plant in Ilam in recent days.' A review of official reports published in Iranian media during the summer months indicates that at least eight workers have committed suicide in the face of poverty and livelihood problems. The signatories continued: 'However, what is shocking and question-raising is that in a situation where the exorbitant costs of ordinary living and the decreasing purchasing power, along with the widespread poverty and runaway inflation, impose severe hardship and pressure on the younger generation, for the rulers, mandatory hijab remains the primary issue of the country!' The statement noted: 'The suppression of civil and occupational demands, political blockage, and the closure of all reformist avenues have made it so that today even the cost of protesting and defying the mandatory hijab can reach the limits of death, imprisonment, and deprivation of teaching, education, and work.' Armita Garavand, a 16-year-old student, lost consciousness after entering the Tehran metro without a mandatory hijab and died after a month in a coma. Previously, the UN Human Rights Council's fact-finding committee expressed 'deep concern' over the escalation of repression against girls and women and 'revenge' against protesters and the families of victims. The activists signing this statement condemned 'the perpetrators of the hardships imposed on the people of Iran, especially the recent violence against teachers, workers, journalists, artists, and especially young women subjected to harassment and abuse by officials,' and considered 'the way out of the deadlock of crises and the provision of national development and spiritual elevation to be in fundamental intellectual and structural changes, aimed at the separation and independence of the two institutions of religion and government.' They deemed the necessity for change and transformation to be 'cohesion and organized unity' through 'the national activist capital' and wrote: 'In this transitional path, organized, disciplined, and non-violent protest, as well as civil disobedience, are essential because they are the only methods to break the deadlock and pave the way for social solidarity and the organization of resistance and civil integrity.' Among the signatories of this statement are Shahrebanu Amani, Morteza Alviri, Ehsan Shariati, Parvaneh Salahshouri, Keyvan Samimi, Eisa Saharkhiz, Abolfazl Ghadiani, Tahereh Taleghani, Hashem Sabaghian, and Fatemeh Ghooraii.