Vasemi and Sotoudeh to Global Institutions: Prevent the Imposition of Mandatory Hijab on Female Athletes

Nasrin Sotoudeh and Sediqeh Vasemi, well-known women's rights activists, issued a joint statement calling for the removal of "discrimination and restrictions" stemming from the mandatory hijab against Iranian female athletes. In their statement published on Tuesday, January 25, they described the mandatory hijab as a "major limitation for girls' sports." The two activists stated: "Achieving a democratic Iran and the people's control over their destiny requires a strong civil society that can pursue its demands until they are fully realized." They referred to the opposition of "many women to the disgraceful hijab and chastity bill," and stated that women's demands include the "repeal of any law related to hijab," asserting that this "invalid law" is effectively being enforced despite not being officially announced. Sotoudeh and Vasemi added: "Everywhere, from schools and universities to offices, women face harassment, warnings, and verbal and behavioral abuse regarding their dress and hijab. Our female athletes are forced to leave the country due to discrimination and restrictions, including the mandatory hijab, which is a significant material and spiritual loss." The two activists emphasized the need for "the removal of all pressures on women regarding their dress code" and highlighted the role of civil society in this important area, adding: "The unity of men and women in all fields can showcase a strong civil society." They also called on the Iranian sports community, especially male athletes, to "stand alongside female athletes to eliminate all restrictions, including the mandatory hijab," and requested international sports organizations to "prevent the imposition of restrictions, especially the mandatory hijab on female athletes, by establishing appropriate regulations." Sediqeh Vasemi, a critic of the Islamic Republic, and Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights defender, previously described the so-called "chastity and hijab law" as a "ridiculous display" and called for its complete repeal. Following the nationwide protests in 2022 after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, Vasemi removed her hijab in November 2022 in protest against the mandatory hijab imposed by the Islamic Republic, which she considers a failed policy. Vasemi was arrested on March 16 of the same year and was eventually released on May 10 due to her deteriorating health in prison. Nasrin Sotoudeh, in addition to defending political prisoners and human rights advocates in various legal cases, also protests against the mandatory hijab. Sotoudeh was arrested in November 2022 when she attended the funeral of Armita Garavand without the mandatory hijab, and the judiciary opened a new case against her. Reports from Iran indicate that civil disobedience against the mandatory hijab continues despite government restrictions.