U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom: Mandatory Hijab in Iran Violates Human Rights

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom states that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Taliban in Afghanistan violate individuals' freedom to wear clothing in accordance with their religion or beliefs by enforcing mandatory hijab laws. The Commission highlights human rights violations in the Islamic Republic due to the enforcement of mandatory hijab laws, referencing the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini at the hands of morality police, which sparked widespread protests against her killing and the mandatory hijab law. The report continues to say that protesters against severe human rights violations in the Islamic Republic face repression, including executions, sexual assault, torture, and mass arrests. The Commission refers to Article 638 of the Islamic Republic's Penal Code, which criminalizes 'any form of religious norm violation in public,' defining one of its instances as 'women appearing in public without hijab' and stipulating a punishment of up to two months in prison or a fine. In a November update, the Commission cites Clause 3 of Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which allows restrictions on 'freedom of religion or expression,' but emphasizes that these 'restrictions must be based on principles that do not solely stem from one tradition.' The Commission explains that the religious dress imposed by the Islamic Republic and the Taliban derives from their interpretations of Islam. Thus, enforcing mandatory dress laws is unauthorized under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which emphasizes freedom of religion and belief. In May of this year, the Commission recommended to the Biden administration to once again classify the Islamic Republic as one of the 'countries of particular concern' in its annual 90-page report on the state of religious freedoms worldwide. The report supports referring Iran's case to the International Criminal Court for human rights violations and crimes against humanity by Islamic Republic officials. The introduction of this report mentions the names of Kian Pirfalak and Nika Shakeri, child and adolescent victims of the protests, and states that Islamic Republic officials, in addition to repressing protesters, have systematically targeted Baha'is, Christians, Gonabadi Dervishes, Zoroastrians, Yarsanis, Sunni Muslims, Shia Muslims, and non-religious individuals for harassment, arrest, long-term imprisonment, exile, or prohibition from participating in political and social activities for decades. Mandatory hijab in Iran; users: the Islamic Republic has opened a 'tunnel of terror.' Citizens recount the intensified crackdown by plainclothes agents to impose mandatory hijab; report by Afshar Sigarachi. A teacher from Mashhad: I was 'dismissed from service' due to protests against the killing of students and the security atmosphere in schools. Business closures at the mandatory hijab station; 'therapeutic sealing' continues. Ghalibaf says the parliament has clarified 'ambiguities'; the 'chastity and hijab' bill is referred to the Guardian Council. Exclusive: Eyewitness accounts of women's resistance against mandatory hijab: We do not wear headscarves. The U.S. Commission on Religious Freedom: We are concerned about the increased pressure on religious minorities in Iran.