They assertively equated the law’s implications to “gender apartheid.”
In their statement, the experts delineated their concerns, highlighting that the law would impose new punitive measures on Iranian women and girls who do not wear the hijab, or headscarf, in public spaces. “Authorities appear to be governing through systemic discrimination to suppress women and girls into total submission,” they emphasized.
Further intensifying the gravity of the issue, the experts pointed out the underlying discriminatory nature of the “Bill to Support the Family by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab”. They emphasized that the bill, alongside existing restraints, may very well be symptomatic of gender persecution. Grave concerns arise from the potential violent enforcement of the law, particularly against those who refuse to comply.
In an alarming revelation, the experts warned of the bill’s outsized impact on economically marginalized women. They have urgently called on Iranian authorities to reconsider the legislation, ensuring it aligns with international human rights standards, with the broader aim of guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of all women and girls in the country.
The statement bore the signatures of esteemed international human rights figures, including Javaid Rehman, Irene Khan, Alexandra Xanthaki, Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Elizabeth Broderick, Ivana Radačić, Meskerem Geset Techane, and Melissa Upreti.
Delving deeper, the experts discussed the draft law’s terminology. By using phrases like “nudity, lack of chastity, lack of hijab, bad dressing, and acts against public decency leading to disturbance of the peace”, the bill attempts to grant public institutions the authority to withhold vital services from those non-compliant with the veiling mandate. Organizational leaders failing to enforce the law may also face consequences.
The experts expressed deep concern over the renewed presence of the morality police in various regions since July 2023, possibly to implement the hijab requirements. Such actions, especially after widespread protests over the tragic death of Jina Mahsa Amini and against constrictive veiling laws, only exacerbate tensions.
The experts concluded their statement by urging the Iranian authorities to align the proposed legislation with global human rights laws, ensuring the full enjoyment of rights for all Iranian women and girls.
MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu
