A proposed Iranian law aiming to impose stricter penalties on women who do not adhere to the country’s hijab dress code has drawn sharp criticism from UN human rights experts. The experts have voiced their apprehension, suggesting that the law could amount to “gender apartheid.”
As per the existing law, women in Iran are obligated to cover their hair and neck in public. Violations of this dress code can result in fines or imprisonment for up to two months. However, an increasing number of women have been openly challenging this law, especially following nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who was arrested for allegedly violating the dress code.
Iran’s conservative factions, which wield significant influence in the country’s government and parliament, have staunchly defended the dress code. In May, the judiciary and government jointly proposed the “Support for the Culture of Hijab and Chastity” bill, which calls for harsher penalties for non-compliance. This proposed legislation not only increases fines but also introduces penalties like the temporary confiscation of a woman’s vehicle.
In response to the proposed law, eight UN human rights experts, including the Special Rapporteur on the rights situation in Iran and members of the UN Working Group on discrimination against women and girls, issued a statement condemning the draft legislation. They argue that the bill, coupled with existing de facto restrictions, “are inherently discriminatory and may amount to gender persecution.”
Furthermore, the experts express their concerns that the severe punishments outlined in the bill “may lead to its violent enforcement.” They emphasize that the proposed law violates several fundamental rights, including the right to participate in cultural life, freedom from gender discrimination, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to peaceful protest, and access to social, educational, and health services, as well as freedom of movement.
The experts also critique the bill’s use of terms like “nudity” and “lack of chastity,” which they argue would enable public institutions to deny essential services and opportunities to women and girls who choose not to wear a headscarf. They stress that such measures would further marginalize and discriminate against women, potentially resulting in negative consequences for society as a whole.
In their statement, the experts call upon Iranian authorities to reconsider the proposed legislation and ensure that it aligns with international human rights standards, particularly with regard to the rights of women and girls. They urge authorities to guarantee the full enjoyment of human rights for all women and girls in Iran.
The fate of this controversial bill remains uncertain, but it continues to generate significant international attention and debate.
