New Hijab Law Passes in Iran

On Wednesday, September 20, 2023, exactly one year after the onset of protests in Iran triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini for not covering her hair fully, the Iranian parliament passed a stricter hijab law. This newly approved 'hijab and chastity bill' further restricts women's freedoms and rights by imposing more severe regulations.

The legislation introduces tougher penalties for violations, stating: “[Violators, including those who] encourage or advertise immodesty, indecency, and not wearing the hijab will face penalties ranging from 5 to 10 years in prison, fines of up to $3,000, prohibition from employment, and a travel ban.”

Additionally, mocking or deriding the hijab could lead to a fine exceeding $1,000 and a two-year prohibition on travel. Given the government's claim that 75% of the population lives in poverty, such steep fines effectively exploit the populace for money. The law also broadens its authority to encompass public and private spaces such as workplaces, taxis, personal vehicles, and the internet, including interactions with foreign media, and cautions against any non-compliance.

The suppression of women under the pretext of combating improper veiling as a desperate effort by the misogynist regime in Iran has escalated in order to prevent any potential uprising.

We call on all women’s rights advocates to denounce the atrocities committed under the name of religion in Iran.

The regime’s oppressive measures against women, which have reached unprecedented levels of violence.

On April 3, Iran Supreme Leader, Khamenei emphasised, “Everyone should abide by the matter of veiling,” and held “the government and the judiciary responsible for fulfilling their religious and legal obligations regarding the issue of veiling.”

On April 10, he went even further and deployed his unofficial forces to suppress the people, asserting, “The Islamic Republic system also bears responsibility against religious deviations, and we must ensure that officials and citizens alike do not falter, and instead promote virtue and prevent vice.”

According to State-run media reports on April 10, 2024, Ahmadreza Radan, the commander of the State Security Force (SSF), announced that starting from Saturday, April 13, individuals failing to adhere to compulsory veiling would be detected using advanced surveillance equipment. Those who do not observe compulsory veiling in public places will receive a warning the first time and will be referred to court at the next stage. Vehicles in which compulsory veiling is not observed will receive a warning the first time and will be impounded the second time. All trades whose employees do not observe compulsory veiling will receive a warning once and then will be sealed off. 

At the same time, repressive forces in various provinces turned to threatening women.

Execution of women and children 

On April 11, 2024, a 19-year-old woman named Marjan Hajizadeh was executed, in the Central Prison of Zanjan, Iran.

Marjan Hajizadeh and her husband, Esmail Hassaniani, 29, had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges. They were arrested and imprisoned three years ago.

Marjan Hajizadeh was only 16 years and 4 months old at the time of arrest and detention.

Marjan and Esmail were arrested on a motorway in Zanjan. Marjan didn’t know her husband was carrying drugs, and she was innocent.

Marjan Hajizadeh is the 233rd woman to be executed in Iran since 2007. She is the 4th woman executed in Iran in 2024.

Record holder of executions of women

The Iranian regime is the world’s top record holder of executions of women.

No government in the world has executed so many women. The list does not account for the tens of thousands of women executed in Iran on political grounds.

Many of the women executed by the mullahs’ regime have been victims of domestic violence against women and have acted in self-defense.

An average of 15 women were executed every year under the former government in Iran. However, 26 women were executed under the present government in 2023, which is 11 more than the previous average.

We call on the United Nations, the European Union, and other relevant international organisations to take urgent action to save the lives of those on death row and stop the use of death penalty in Iran.