Hijab Monitors Remain Stationed at the Entrance of Tehran University

The Secretary of the Islamic Association of Tehran University reported that hijab monitors are still stationed at the university's entrance gates, which he claims causes humiliation and distress among students. According to Ham Mihan newspaper, Alireza Hashemi-Bafghi, the Secretary of the Islamic Association of Tehran University and Tehran University of Medical Sciences, stated that despite a decrease in warnings outside university spaces, "warnings about hijab are still given at Tehran University," emphasizing that "no positive change has occurred in this regard." This student activist protested the "presence and violent interactions of security forces with peaceful and non-violent student protests," adding that "alongside this trend, an unpleasant and strange innovation called hijab monitors has been established by the security forces at Tehran University." Hashemi-Bafghi outlined the problems and challenges faced at the university following the nationwide protests of 2022 and the intensification of disciplinary actions, stating that many students faced severe disciplinary rulings and several professors were banned from teaching at the university. He stressed that this situation has significantly impacted the university environment and led to serious harm to the academic community. Hashemi-Bafghi recalled that in November 2022, a new disciplinary guideline was approved, allowing university officials to take harsher actions against students. This guideline was designed to weaken the student atmosphere and suppress political and social activities at the university. He added that organizations, centers, and scientific associations also faced significant pressures, with some even receiving bans on their activities. According to Hashemi-Bafghi, disqualifications in disciplinary matters were also a tool for suppressing student organizations and guild councils, and many students who were candidates for elections in these organizations were deprived of their right to participate. In discussions that representatives of the Islamic Association held with officials from the Ministry of Science regarding student disciplinary rulings, demands for the annulment of these rulings and transparency in the handling of cases were raised. Hashemi-Bafghi also referred to the issue of faculty migration following the events of 2022. He stated that many professors have been banned from teaching for political reasons and face issues such as non-renewal of contracts, suspension, forced retirement, and even dismissal. This situation has led to discouragement among professors and a desire to leave the university and emigrate. He added that the recruitment of professors is also done arbitrarily based on "specific criteria," and some prominent professors who had gained attention on social media have returned to the university, but there is no transparent process for their return. This comes as Masoud Pezeshkian and his ministers have promised since taking office to resolve the issues faced by professors and students and facilitate their return to universities.