In a report released by the United Nations, it has been revealed that Iran is increasingly depending on electronic methods and public participation to identify women who defy the country’s obligatory headscarf law. This comes as hard-liners push for stricter punishments for those opposing these regulations.
The information from the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran follows last year’s conclusion that Iran’s theocracy was accountable for the “physical violence” leading to the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini’s death in September 2022 sparked widespread protests against the hijab mandate, which continue despite the risk of violent arrest and imprisonment.
“More than two years after the outbreak of protests in September 2022, Iranian women and girls still encounter systemic discrimination. This issue is engrained in both law and practice, deeply influencing various facets of their lives, especially with respect to enforcing the hijab requirement,” the report stated.
The report highlights how the Iranian government increasingly delegates the enforcement of dress codes to citizens, depicting it as a civic duty through state-backed vigilantism. Iranian diplomatic missions in New York and Geneva did not issue a response concerning the 20-page report’s outcomes.
Sara Hossain, head of the mission, mentioned new areas of focus this year, particularly “the disturbing pattern” of deaths among protesters, including some girls, which were dismissed by the authorities as suicides. Families of the deceased faced judicial harassment, such as being prevented from holding memorials for their loved ones.
The mission is also investigating reports of mock executions used as psychological torture, with detainees, including men, women, and children, allegedly subjected to threats of execution or having nooses placed around their necks. Hossain emphasized the “chronic impunity” for those engaged in such repressive actions.
The report further detailed how Iran uses advanced technology such as drones and surveillance cameras to monitor women. At Amirkabir University in Tehran, facial recognition technology has been implemented to identify women not adhering to hijab laws. Surveillance extends to major roads where cameras record uncovered women.
The investigators also highlighted “Nazer,” a mobile app developed by Iranian police that allows the public to report breaches of hijab rules in vehicles. The app enables the addition of details like location, time, and license plate numbers, resulting in immediate vehicle reports and warnings to owners about potential confiscation for non-compliance.
This vigilantism via technology has already led to dangerous outcomes. In July 2024, police shot a woman who had received a warning message and was fleeing a checkpoint, resulting in her paralysis.
Since implementing these measures, around 8,000 vehicles have been seized due to hijab violations by drivers. Hossain remarked on the extraordinary nature of the situation, emphasizing that women shouldn’t face sanctions for their choice of attire.
The unrest and enforcement continue against a backdrop of broader tension following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died shortly after her arrest by the country’s morality police. Her death resulted in extensive protests and the subsequent crackdown, which killed over 500 people and detained more than 22,000.
Despite a temporary easing of hijab law enforcement, a robust crackdown resumed under a campaign named the Noor Plan. According to the U.N., 618 women have been arrested since its inception.
Additionally, Iran faced heightened executions last year, with at least 938 people put to death, marking a threefold increase from 2021. This has been linked to broader repression of dissent, with many executed under drug charges.
These developments occur amidst a significant economic crisis fueled by U.S. sanctions tied to Iran’s nuclear program. Despite calls for renewed negotiations from the U.S., Iran has not yet engaged, while social and economic challenges continue to pose significant challenges to the country’s governance.
