Amnesty International on Tuesday criticized Iran’s newly implemented mandatory veiling law, saying that it intensifies the systemic subjugation of women and girls. The law enforces harsh penalties, including imprisonment, corporal punishment, and even the death penalty for individuals who violate obligatory hijab rules. The “Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab” comes into effect this week.
The legislation was introduced during a time of heightened government repression following the “Woman Life Freedom” movement, which began two years ago after the death of Mahsa Jina Amini. Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died while in police custody following her arrest for allegedly breaching mandatory hijab regulations. Her death sparked nationwide demonstrations, drawing international attention to Iran’s gender discrimination and repressive governmental system.
In the wake of the uprising, Iranian officials have escalated their enforcement of hijab regulations, targeting women who remove their veils in public as signs of rebellion. In a report earlier this year, Amnesty International reported that the government employed widespread surveillance, vehicle seizures, and other intrusive actions to enforce compliance with veiling rules. Women found violating the mandate face fines, social ostracism, and threats of violence, as activists and human rights groups document extensive abuses.
The 2024 country report from Human Rights Watch on Iran highlights the intensified targeting of families of dissenters and activists who openly challenge the regime. The government’s attempts to silence dissent extend beyond mere suppression to include broader violations of human rights, such as restricting free speech, hindering the right to assemble, and undermining gender equality. Relatives of those killed in protests have allegedly faced harassment, detention, and intimidation to deter them from seeking justice or advocating for change.
The “Woman Life Freedom” uprising underscored the determination of Iranian women and girls to reclaim their agency despite the government’s heavy-handed response. Amnesty International notes that in the aftermath of the protests, many survivors endured retaliatory arrests and sexual violence while in detention. Yet, impunity remains the norm for security forces accused of these crimes.
Iran’s new law highlights a pattern of oppression affecting both women and civil society. Amnesty International has called for global support for Iranian women resisting compulsory veiling and gender discrimination. Despite the ongoing abuses, there has been little progress in holding the Iranian government accountable since the uprising, as noted in Amnesty’s September 2024 report, which expressed concern over the regime’s continued impunity for the violent crackdown following the protests, leaving victims and their families without justice.
This compulsory veiling law represents a dangerous escalation in Iran’s war on women and follows a series of strict regulations imposed by Iranian officials to uphold dress codes. Earlier this year, a campaign featured extensive monitoring and large-scale vehicle seizures to ensure adherence to veiling regulations. By criminalizing the most fundamental expression of autonomy, the Iranian government reaffirms its commitment to policing women’s bodies and silencing dissent. As Amnesty International and other rights groups emphasize, urgent global action is needed to support the women of Iran in their fight for freedom and equality.
