HRANA: Iranian authorities continue repressive policies

The Iranian human rights agency HRANA reported, coinciding with the third anniversary of the "Women, Life, Freedom" uprising in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran, that the authorities persist in enforcing repressive policies against protesters.

According to the report, repression campaigns between September and December 2022 resulted in 552 deaths and over 34,000 arrests. The report also highlighted the continuation of mandatory hijab enforcement and strict restrictions imposed on women, alongside thousands of arrests, business closures, and coercive measures against violators.

The agency based its data on statistics from human rights activists in Iran, noting that the crackdown included the execution of 12 detainees linked to the protests, with eight others awaiting execution. Additionally, 654 women were arrested on charges of opposing the mandatory hijab, 1,386 shops were temporarily or permanently shut down for providing services to unveiled women, and 33,081 official warnings related to hijab violations were issued.

HRANA also pointed to ongoing repression despite a decline in street demonstrations, including travel bans, security summons, physical and psychological torture, forced confessions, and cases of permanent injury  such as a 31-year-old woman who sustained a permanent disability after security forces shot at her car over hijab enforcement.

The agency affirmed that the UN Fact-Finding Mission, in its 2024 report, held the Iranian regime responsible for the "unlawful killing" of Jina Amini. However, justice and accountability have yet to be achieved, with perpetrators remaining shielded from punishment.

ANHA