Women, Resistance, Freedom

Call by the NCRI Women’s Committee to the women and men of Iran to stand up against the new round of repression of women in the misogynistic regime of the mullahs at the behest of Ali Khamenei

Ali Khamenei increasingly relies on repression and suppression due to the setbacks his regime has faced from all sides. On Wednesday, April 10, during his Eid al-Fitr sermon, he cautioned the regime’s apparatuses, agents, and functionaries against “falling short” in countering “religious norm-breaking” and explicitly commanded: “Officials, the people, and those who promote good and forbid evil must all carry out their duties in this regard.” It is evident that women are the primary targets of this new phase of repression.

Following Khamenei’s directive, Ahmad Radan, the commander of the regime’s State Security Force (SSF), announced in a statement published in state media on April 10 that starting on Saturday, April 13, individuals not wearing the hijab will be identified using smart devices. Those found without hijabs in public places will receive a warning initially and will be referred to court in subsequent instances. Vehicles with women not wearing hijabs will receive a warning upon first offense and will be impounded upon repetition. Businesses with employees not adhering to hijab regulations will receive a warning initially and will face closure thereafter.

Subsequently, the SSF commands of East and West Tehran Province announced that “the hijab and chastity plan will be pursued with greater seriousness in all streets and public places from Saturday, April 13.” Concurrently, the criminal SSF commanders in various provinces, including Bushehr, Kermanshah, and Semnan, issued repressive statements threatening and targeting women.

The NCRI Women’s Committee (WNCRI) urges the women and men of Iran to steadfastly confront and resist the new wave of repression against women by the misogynistic regime of the mullahs. We also call on international bodies, especially the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, to condemn the compulsory hijab and the misogynistic actions of the mullahs’ regime in this regard.

National Council of Resistance of Iran – Women’s Committee

11 April 2024