Hengaw Organization for Human Rights calls for International action against the Islamic Republic of Iran's suppression of Women, Sexual and Gender minorities
On Saturday, November 2, 2024, shocking images emerged of a young woman protesting on the campus grounds of Tehran’s Islamic Azad University of Science and Research. This female student, identified as Ahoo (Mahla) Daryaei according to Masih Alinejad, was initially referred to as the “Science and Research Girl.” Walking unclothed in the university's outer courtyard, she captured worldwide attention. Her protest, reportedly sparked by the university security’s harsh enforcement of mandatory hijab, was a courageous act meant to draw focus on the issue. Initial reports and statements from sources at Hengaw Organization for Human Rights indicate that this protest was a response to the pressures exerted by university security; however, the Islamic Republic of Iran quickly sought to distort the reality of her protest by altering the narrative.
Eyewitnesses report that this woman protested against university security due to harassment over mandatory hijab enforcement. This account aligns with the initial report from Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which described her action as unveiling that led to nudity. However, after the incident received extensive coverage from media and human rights organizations both inside and outside Iran, the Islamic Republic of Iran made significant efforts to alter its narrative.
It is important to emphasize that, as in numerous similar cases, including the protests by the “Girls of Enghelab Street” and activists like Vida Movahed, Roya Zakeri, and Sepideh Gholian, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s propaganda apparatus quickly moved to discredit this protest by labeling it as a result of “mental illness.” This tactic seeks to undermine the legitimacy of these social and political protests, presenting them as invalid expressions rather than genuine acts of dissent. Furthermore, by broadcasting statements attributed to the woman’s former husband, authorities attempted to discourage the public from sharing images and information about her identity. Her family reports that they have been pressured to accept this “mental illness” label, a move intended to prevent her case from being treated as a security or judicial issue. This approach mirrors tactics previously employed in cases like that of Azam Jangravi, one of the Girls of Enghelab Street, where similar pressures were applied to deflect attention from the political nature of her actions.
Multiple reports from human rights sources confirm that Mahla (Ahoo) Daryaei has been transferred to a psychiatric hospital following her protest at the University of Science and Research. The university campus is now under heightened security measures, with security forces visibly present among the students. According to eyewitness accounts, security personnel instructed students to “Do not make any movement, do not look.” These reports align with images from Daryaei’s protest, reflecting the tense and restrictive atmosphere in those moments.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, expressing deep concern about the situation of Mahla (Ahoo), believes, based on similar past experiences, that the Islamic Republicof Iran is attempting to create fabricated narratives about this young woman through forced confessions and severe pressure. In such conditions, transparent and accurate reporting on her identity and health status is of particular importance.
Hengaw's legal team believes that this young woman's protest against mandatory hijab, under international human rights law, is a legitimate political and civil protest that falls within the framework of the right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, as guaranteed under Articles 19 and 21 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Mandatory hijab, imposed in Iran as a state policy, is clearly in contradiction with the right to freedom of expression and the right to be free from discrimination, and protesting against it is entirely legitimate.
In response to this incident, rather than addressing the legitimate demands of the protesters, the Islamic Republic of Iran has labeled them as “mentally ill.” This tactic, a long-standing method used by the state to suppress dissent—especially among women—is not only unfounded but also fundamentally conflicts with human rights principles. Such labeling serves to delegitimize political and social protests, denying protesters their rightful ability to express their opinions and be heard.
One clear violation in this incident is Mahla's (Ahoo) right to privacy and personal security. According to human rights principles, everyone has the right to be protected from interference with their privacy and the misuse of their personal information.
The Islamic Republic government, particularly through broadcasting confessions attributed to her former husband, has attempted to violate this individual's privacy and has asked the public to refrain from sharing images and information about her. Such actions are not only against human rights principles, but in situations where a person is under pressure and threat, they can lead to serious violations of her individual and social rights.
Past experiences indicate that the Islamic Republic of Iran often employs pressure tactics, including forced confessions, particularly when individuals are detained during widespread protests. In this context, Hengaw’s legal team believes that the detained individual will likely face intense pressure to provide coerced confessions under various threats from authorities. These forced confessions lack validity and are frequently used as tools for further abuse and repression. Therefore, promptly revealing the individual’s identity and ensuring transparent and accurate information about their condition is crucial to preventing further harm.
Keeping the situation of this protesting woman hidden, especially in such conditions where she is under multiple threats, can lead to increased risks for her life and health. Accurate and timely information about Ahoo (Mahla)'s condition and health can prevent further exploitation of her. Withholding information enables the Islamic Republic to advance its false and fabricated narratives regarding her situation, without any oversight or accountability regarding this matter.
This incident is not just an example of one person’s human rights being violated, but also a symbol of the ongoing violation of the rights of women, sexual and gender minorities in Iran. In countries with gender apartheid systems, women and minorities constantly face violence, discrimination, and repression. These discriminations, which include severe restrictions on social, political, and cultural freedoms, clearly show the blatant violation of human rights and social justice.
Hengaw Organization for Human Rights calls for immediate and serious action from the international community to:
Pressure the Islamic Republic to provide accurate and transparent information about her health and detention location.
The detention of this woman without being informed of the charges against her, without access to a lawyer, and especially her forced detention in a psychiatric hospital, is a gross violation of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s obligations under international human rights law.
The Islamic Republic of Iran must refrain from any pressure, threats, or use of forced confessions against this woman.
The international community must hold the Islamic Republic of f Iran accountable for violating the human rights of women, sexual and gender minorities and push for an end to its discriminatory and repressive policies against these groups.
The gender apartheid system in Iran should be recognized internationally, and the Islamic Republic of Iran should be held accountable under this definition.
Finally, Hengaw Organization for Human Rights urges all human rights organizations and international authorities to hold the Islamic Republic of Iran accountable for the ongoing and widespread repression of the rights of women, sexual and gender minorities. We call on the international community to take practical measures and apply effective pressure to force the Iranian state to honor its international obligations and respect the dignity and rights of these groups. Supporting the rights of women, sexual and gender minorities, and working to end systemic repression is a shared global responsibility in the pursuit of justice and the realization of freedom.
