Unfiltered, Raw Insights on Iran's Enforcement of Mandatory Hijab Policies
UN Document Reveals Iranian Surveillance of Women Not Adhering to Hijab Dress Code via Drones and Applications
Iran's crackdown on women defying the mandatory hijab dress code has taken a technological turn, with the use of aerial drones, facial recognition systems, and a citizen-reporting app. According to a UN report, the government-backed "Nazer" mobile app is at the forefront of this digital repression, empowering citizens and police to report non-compliant women.
The report reveals that the "Nazer" app allows users to provide details like the license plate, location, and time of a vehicle in which a woman is not wearing a hijab. The app then flags the vehicle online, alerting the authorities, who may later impound the vehicle for non-compliance.
In addition, the app sends real-time alerts to the vehicle's registered owner, notifying them of a breach and threatening punishment. The app is accessible through Iran's police website, FARAJA, and was expanded in September 2024 to target women in ambulances, taxis, and public transport.
Authorities have also implemented aerial drones in Tehran and southern Iran for surveillance and hijab compliance monitoring in public spaces. Furthermore, new facial recognition software reportedly went live in early 2024 at Amirkabir University's entrance gate in Tehran, aimed at enforcing hijab regulations among female students.
The Iranian government's use of technology in its repression of dissent, particularly against women and girls, is under scrutiny for systemic human rights violations and crimes against humanity. The UN has reported hundreds of deaths in protests against Iran's mandatory hijab law and political and social issues following the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody in 2022.
The draft law "Hijab and Chastity," suspended in December 2024, remains a potential threat to women and girls in Iran. If enacted, this law could impose penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of approximately $12,000 for non-compliance. Article 286 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code suggests that women could face the death penalty for "corruption on earth." The law would also expand the powers of Iran's security apparatus and increase the use of technology and surveillance.
CNN reached out to the Iranian embassy in London for comment on the matter. However, as of now, Iran's relentless pursuit to control women's apparel choices through technological means remains a grave concern for human rights organizations worldwide.
- The use of drones and facial recognition software in public spaces in Iran, such as Tehran and southern Iran, is now employed for surveillance and hijab compliance monitoring.
- The Iranian government's "Nazer" app, which allows users to report non-compliant women with regard to the mandatory hijab dress code, has expanded in September 2024 to include women in ambulances, taxis, and public transport.
- The draft law "Hijab and Chastity," if enacted, could trigger penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of approximately $12,000 for women and girls in Iran who do not comply with the mandatory hijab law.
