UN High Commissioner for Human Rights: The 'Repressive' and 'Humiliating' Hijab Bill in Iran Should Be Repealed

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed regret over the approval of a 'stricter' hijab-related bill by the Iranian Parliament and the increase in prison sentences and heavy fines for non-compliance with mandatory hijab laws. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, described the bill, titled 'Support for Families through the Promotion of Chastity and Hijab Culture,' as 'repressive and humiliating,' emphasizing that women and girls should not be treated as second-class citizens. According to the statement, Volker Turk, the head of the commission, also called for the repeal of this 'cruel bill,' stressing that it contradicts international laws. The statement pointed out that under the provisions of the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill, which is in the final review stage by the Guardian Council, individuals could face up to 10 years in prison for not adhering to the country's strict Islamic dress code. The UN statement highlighted the imposition of harsher penalties for violators of mandatory hijab, which could include flogging, fines up to 360 million rials, travel restrictions, and internet access deprivation, whereas the previous law imposed a maximum of 2 months in prison or fines up to 500,000 rials for non-compliance. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has urged Iranian officials to take action to repeal these stringent laws and other forms of gender-based discrimination. The commission also called on officials to implement laws and policies that allow women and girls in Iran to exercise their human rights, including their full participation in public life without fear of discrimination or punishment. Following widespread anti-government protests last year after the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, opposition to mandatory hijab has become more pronounced. During the protests, many women artists, civil activists, and athletes expressed their opposition to mandatory hijab by sharing images of themselves without headscarves. The Islamic Republic has suppressed protests, arresting, torturing, and killing opponents of mandatory hijab. Amnesty International also issued a statement on Thursday, September 30, calling the Chastity and Hijab bill a 'repugnant violation of the rights of Iranian women and girls' and demanding accountability for Iranian officials at the international level. A few days after the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death in custody of the morality police, the Iranian Parliament discussed and approved the controversial 'Chastity and Hijab' bill. Additionally, on the morning of Wednesday, September 29, the Iranian Parliament approved a proposal for a 'trial implementation' of the 'Support for Chastity and Hijab Culture' law for three years. Following this decision, the Parliament will send the approved bill from the Judicial and Legal Commission, which was passed according to Article 85 of the Constitution, to the Guardian Council for review within 10 days. For several months, the three branches of the Islamic Republic collaborated to prepare the 'Chastity and Hijab' bill, which was approved by the relevant commission in late August. This bill, if finally approved, will impose various penalties on opponents of mandatory hijab. Experts from the UN Human Rights Council expressed serious concerns about the so-called 'Chastity and Hijab' bill on September 10, describing it as 'gender apartheid.' According to eight UN experts, including Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, 'the draft of this law can be described as a form of gender apartheid as it appears that the officials intend to govern through systematic discrimination aimed at the complete submission of women and girls.' These experts stated that the 'Support for Families through the Promotion of Chastity and Hijab' bill and the existing restrictions are inherently discriminatory and lead to gender-based violence. Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the US Department of State, previously stated in response to a question from a reporter from the Persian section of Voice of America that the Islamic Republic has not learned from recent protests. John Kirby, the National Security Council's Strategic Communications Coordinator at the White House, also stated that 'after the death of Mahsa Amini and the public protests, the people of Iran should now be able to make decisions for themselves and women should choose their own attire.' Shaparak Shajari Zadeh, one of the girls from the Revolution Street, also mentioned in recent days regarding the Islamic Republic's haste in passing and implementing the 'Chastity and Hijab' law to Voice of America that this action is 'to intimidate' Iranian women, but the dynamic society of Iran can no longer be silenced.