The impact of mandatory Hijab Laws on women’s rights in Iran: A human rights perspective

Abstract

This article delves into the complex landscape of women’s rights in Iran, focusing on the profound impact of mandatory hijab laws imposed after the 1979 Islamic revolution. Against a historical backdrop of ongoing struggles for human rights, particularly concerning women, this paper aims to scrutinize the multifaceted violations arising from the implementation of hijab laws, revealing their ramifications on civil, political, religious, and economic rights. The study begins by contextualizing the historical evolution of women’s rights in Iran, contrasting the experiences under monarchy with the current regime. It highlights the distinctive nature of women’s rights violations post-revolution, emphasizing the coercive enforcement of discriminatory laws and its contribution to widespread protests both within Iran and globally. Central to the analysis is the examination of how mandatory hijab laws infringe upon women’s personal freedoms and jeopardize their fundamental rights. The recent outcry and resistance against these laws, exemplified by the nationwide protests triggered by the tragic incident involving Mahsa Amini, underscore the urgent need for political reevaluation and legal reform. The paper contends that these laws not only impede women’s participation in political, religious, civil, and economic spheres but also contravene Iran’s International Commitments and Human Rights Instruments. The article concludes by reinforcing the deep-rooted concerns about women’s rights in Iran, echoing the discontent that has persisted since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The discriminatory impact of hijab laws is unveiled through the lens of the marginalized position of women in various fields, coupled with widespread discrimination and violations of their political, religious, and economic rights. As international scholars and experts question the compatibility of these laws with International Human Rights norms, the United Nations and other human rights organizations call for the Iranian regime’s adherence to international commitments, emphasizing the potential exacerbation of the vulnerable situation of women’s rights in the absence of such compliance.