Zeynab Khonyabpour, an Opponent of Mandatory Hijab, Sentenced to Over Two Years in Prison

The criminal court in Behbahan, Khuzestan province, has sentenced Zeynab Khonyabpour, an opponent of mandatory hijab, to two years in prison for publishing images of herself without a hijab on social media. According to HRANA, the news agency of human rights activists in Iran, the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court has also sentenced this citizen to three months and one day in prison on charges of 'propaganda against the regime' in a separate case. The reports do not mention the timing of the issuance of these sentences, only stating that the criminal court in Behbahan was held on October 9. According to the report, Zeynab Khonyabpour's clothing store was shut down during the nationwide protests of 2022 due to her participation in the general strikes, and she was detained for six days. The Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners reports that among the charges against this protester last year were 'propaganda activities against the regime' and 'walking in public while removing the hijab.' Recently, 170 political activists issued a statement criticizing the priority of 'mandatory hijab' while referring to the 'umbrella of economic exploitation, political despotism, and religious tyranny' over the country, calling for 'the separation and independence of the two institutions of religion and government.' Earlier, 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. Maryam Dehkordi: The civil resistance of Iranian women against mandatory hijab is not limited to one area. Exclusive; The Qazvin Revolutionary Court sentenced imprisoned protester Souri Babaei Chagini to another 7 months in prison. New restrictions for female sports photographers; they are not allowed to photograph the heads and hair of female athletes. The government continues its efforts to enforce mandatory hijab by shutting down 50 businesses and warning 65 others in Qom.