The Hidden Harms of Morality Patrols: A Mother’s Struggle for Justice
Nafas Haji Sharif, a 14-year-old girl, has been left deeply shaken and unable to leave her home following a traumatic encounter with the Iranian Morality Patrol in Tehran.
“She won’t even go to her therapist due to severe anxiety and stress,” her mother revealed in an interview with the state-run Etemad daily on September 9, 2024. “Some issues I cannot even mention, but her mental health has been severely impacted.”
A Legal Battle for Justice
The incident occurred on July 21, 2024, when Nafas Haji Sharif and her friend were apprehended by the patrol while heading to a shopping center on Vatanpour Street. Her mother, who was nearby at a café, was soon gripped by panic when she realized her daughter’s phone was off.
Maryam Abbasi, her mother explained, “At 6:30 PM, they arrested the children, and I didn’t hear anything until 8:00 PM. My mind was racing, and I was extremely anxious. Finally, they called me from her friend’s phone and informed me that the Morality Patrol had detained them.
“I tried to get them to hand the phone to the female officer so I could explain that these kids were 14 years old, hoping they would treat them appropriately. But the female officer ignored me and told me to come to the Gisha Security Police Center. On my way, a man called me and said, ‘Your daughter is sitting in front of me; we’ve given her water, she’s sitting by the air conditioner, and nothing has happened to her. If you have a headscarf, bring it, but if not, it’s fine! Just come pick her up.’”
Upon arrival at the police station, when she finally saw Nafas, the girl’s face was bruised, her neck bore signs of assault, and her clothes were torn.
Ongoing Trauma and Institutional Barriers
Nafas’ physical injuries were only the beginning of her suffering. The psychological toll has been immense. “She can’t sleep. At night, she wakes up scared that officers will storm our home,” her mother explained, adding that Nafas now checks the security cameras outside their apartment daily for signs of intruders. Her fear has grown to the point that she constantly begs her family to leave the country.
Despite these traumatic events, her mother has been relentless in her pursuit of justice. She has filed complaints with various government bodies, including the military court and police oversight offices. However, the family’s complaints have been stonewalled at every turn.
Ironically, one of the female officers involved in the incident has already managed to secure a hearing over a minor injury she sustained, while Nafas’ case continues to languish.
A Young Athlete’s Future in Jeopardy
Nafas, a once-promising athlete and student, has been left too scared to continue with her life. Her mother describes her as a “gifted artist and an accomplished sports champion.” Now, that bright future is overshadowed by fear and uncertainty, with the once-bold teen now terrified of even leave her home.
As the legal battle drags on, Nafas Haji Sharif and her family are left to wonder when—if ever—they will see justice for the brutal attack on their daughter. With each passing day, that hope seems to fade further into the distance.
The NCRI Women’s Committee strongly condemned the violent and inhuman treatment of Nafas Haji Sharif and her friend, and called UN Human Rights Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on Iran, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women to strictly condemn the oppressive actions of religious fascism ruling Iran.
