UN Human Rights Commission Director Calls for Permanent Abolition of Mandatory Hijab Law in Iran

The Director of the United Nations Human Rights Commission has called for the permanent abolition of the mandatory hijab law and other discriminatory laws against women in Iran. Volker Turk stated on Monday, March 4, at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva: "Although the so-called 'hijab' law in Iran has been temporarily suspended, I once again urge Iranian officials to completely and permanently abolish this law and other discriminatory laws and practices imposed on women and girls." He also called on the Iranian authorities to release all imprisoned human rights defenders and to end arbitrary arrests and detentions. The government of Massoud Pezeshkian claims to have prevented the implementation of the so-called 'Hijab and Chastity' law, which was approved by the Islamic Consultative Assembly, by using the powers of the Supreme National Security Council. Volker Turk further referred to the significant increase in executions in Iran last year, with over 900 reported cases, stating: "This issue deeply concerns me. I have asked Iranian officials to immediately halt the implementation of the death penalty." In another part of his speech, the UN Human Rights Commission Director expressed deep concern over what he described as a "fundamental shift" in the human rights policy of the United States since Donald Trump's return to power. Volker Turk also indirectly criticized the appointment of Elon Musk at the head of the so-called 'Government Efficiency' agency in the United States, condemning the "unchecked power of unelected oligarchs" from the technology sector. This marks the strongest criticism from a UN official against the new US government. Volker Turk noted that the UN Human Rights Council has historically received "unconditional and non-partisan support from the United States" and expressed deep concern over the "fundamental shift of this country both domestically and internationally." This former Austrian diplomat and high-ranking UN official, without naming Donald Trump, stated: "Policies that were previously designed and approved to protect people from discrimination have now been labeled as 'discriminatory'." Turk claimed that "in areas such as gender equality, we are witnessing regression, and the dissemination of misinformation, threats, and intimidation, especially against journalists and non-governmental officials, has put the work of independent media and institutions at risk and difficulty." The argument of the new US government is that during Joe Biden's term, some individuals were appointed to high positions not due to merit but solely because of their gender, race, background, or sexual or religious orientation, a method that Donald Trump and his team oppose. In the six weeks since Donald Trump's return to the White House, several senior military officials have been dismissed, and some defined rights for transgender individuals, including in sports or military service, have been revoked. The UN Human Rights Commission President also expressed regret that, according to him, "divisive rhetoric is being used to distract, deceive, and polarize public opinion" and warned that this situation creates "fear and anxiety among many individuals." Comments from official and semi-official officials of the new US government, including Elon Musk, in public spaces and social media, as well as mass emails to federal employees and mass layoffs of employees from certain agencies, have raised concerns. Since returning to power less than six weeks ago, Donald Trump has signed nearly 80 executive orders on a wide range of issues, from foreign policy to domestic matters. Trump has also appointed Elon Musk, owner of Tesla and the social network X, as the head of the 'Government Efficiency' agency with the aim of reducing government costs. Volker Turk, in his speech at the UN Human Rights Council headquarters, without naming Elon Musk, expressed concern about the "growing influence of a handful of unelected wealthy individuals from the technology sector who have access to individuals' private information." This UN official claimed: "These powerful technology figures know where we live, are aware of our work, have access to our genetic and health information; they know our thoughts, habits, interests, and fears, and generally know us better than we know ourselves, and thus know how to influence and dominate us." Turk warned that "any unchecked power can lead to repression, subjugation, and even tyranny; a situation that autocrats seek." This senior UN official called on all countries to quickly adapt to the new conditions and cooperate to fulfill their duties in "protecting citizens against unchecked powers." The United States is the largest funder of the United Nations and its subsidiaries, providing over $13 billion in the 2023 fiscal year, accounting for more than a quarter of its budget. However, the US has abandoned membership in some UN subsidiary bodies and, two weeks after Trump's return to the White House, left the UN Human Rights Council and also stopped funding it.