Amnesty International and ARTICLE 19 have both documented instances of women being identified using street or traffic surveillance systems, and then being penalised for not wearing hijab.
The bill classifies women’s choice not to wear hijab as ‘nudity’, going a step further than the existing penal code – thereby increasing the penalties against women. In fact, as Azam Jangravi writes, anyone who engages in ‘acts such as disparaging the core tenets of hijab, whether in public spaces – both online and offline – or advocating for immodesty, indecency, non-adherence to hijab, or inappropriate attire, will face fines.’ People found guilty may face travel restrictions, bans from using the internet and social media, and lose their jobs. This new legislation designed to further suppress people’s rights is the latest manifestation of what the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation on Iran has highlighted as the Islamic Republic’s ‘crimes against humanity’. The international community must continue to take action, and speak up, against these ongoing assaults. |