On the second anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests, sparked by the death of 22-year-old Jina Mahsa Amini, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran has issued a critical report. The findings highlight the Iranian regime’s increased efforts to suppress the fundamental rights of women and girls, while also working to dismantle initiatives aimed at advancing women’s activism.
Jina Mahsa Amini was arrested by Iran’s notorious “morality police” in Tehran on September 13, 2022, for allegedly violating Iran’s mandatory hijab laws. Her death in police custody on September 16 triggered a series of protests across the country, leading to the 2022 nationwide protests.
Though the mass protests have since subsided, the report emphasizes that the resistance of women and girls has not diminished, even as they continue to live under a system that treats them as “second class citizens.” Since April 2024, Iranian authorities have introduced more repressive measures, including the so-called “Noor Plan” (noor meaning “light” in Persian), which sanctions human rights violations against those who flout the mandatory hijab laws.
Escalation of Violence and Surveillance
According to the report, security forces have escalated their use of physical violence against women perceived to be in violation of hijab regulations. This includes tactics such as beating, kicking, and slapping, as documented through numerous videos reviewed by the Fact-Finding Mission. The Iranian government has also increased its surveillance efforts, using drones and other technologies to monitor compliance with the hijab mandate in both public and private spaces, including inside vehicles.
In a further move to clamp down on dissent, a “Hijab and Chastity” Bill is in its final stages of approval by Iran’s Guardian Council. Once passed, this bill would impose heavier penalties on women who do not comply with mandatory hijab rules. These penalties would include steep fines, longer prison terms, restrictions on educational and employment opportunities, and travel bans.
Death Sentences and Human Rights Violations
The report also raises alarms over a new trend in Iran: the sentencing of women activists to death, particularly those from ethnic and religious minorities. Over the past two years, the death penalty has increasingly been used as a tool to silence dissent and instill fear in those critical of the government. The crackdown has extended to journalists, human rights defenders, and the families of victims of state violence during the protests.
The UN Mission expressed particular concern for the lack of accountability for gross human rights violations, including crimes against humanity. “Meaningful accountability for crimes under international law remains elusive for victims, especially women and children,” the report stated.
Calls for Immediate Action
The Fact-Finding Mission has called on the Iranian regime to take immediate steps to halt all executions of protesters and to impose a moratorium on the death penalty, with the aim of eventual abolition. The Mission also urged the release of all individuals arbitrarily arrested in connection with the protests, particularly women and children. Additionally, the report calls for the abandonment of policies designed to repress the rights of women and girls, including the controversial “Hijab and Chastity” Bill.
Given the Iranian regime’s failure to hold its officials accountable for these widespread violations, the Mission has called on UN Member States to take stronger action. This includes scaling up efforts to ensure justice for victims and their families through measures such as universal jurisdiction, which would allow for the prosecution of Iranian officials responsible for crimes against women and girls in courts outside Iran.
International Responsibility
“As we mark the second anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests, the Mission calls on States to investigate, prosecute, and punish those responsible for crimes committed against women and girls during these events,” the report stated. The Fact-Finding Mission has also urged the international community to expedite asylum applications and provide humanitarian visas to those who have experienced severe persecution or life-altering injuries as a result of these human rights abuses, especially women and children.
The report serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in Iran, as the government continues to intensify its efforts to suppress the voices of women and girls who seek to assert their basic rights.
