OHCHR Statement On Iran And Hijab Enforcement Continuity
/
3:10
/
MP4
/
232.4 MB

Press Conferences | OHCHR

OHCHR Statement On Iran And Hijab Enforcement Continuity

The acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif expressed alarm on Tuesday at the death in custody in Iran of a woman after she was detained for wearing an “improper” hijab.

Mahsa Amini was arrested a week ago by Iran’s “morality police” in Teheran. The 22-year-old, whose Kurdish name is Jhina - fell into a coma shortly after collapsing at a detention centre, and died three days later, officially of a heart attack.

In Geneva, spokesperson for the UN rights office, Ravina Shamdasani, said that there was also deep concern at the violent response of Iran’s security forces to protests sparked by Ms. Amini’s death:

“Thousands have taken to the streets in a number of cities across the country, including in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, Mashhad, Rasht, Saqqes and Sanandaj, in protests against Amini’s death. Security forces have reportedly responded with live ammunition, pellet guns and teargas. At least two people have reportedly been killed and several injured, and a number have been arrested.”

Ms. Shamdasani also noted with concern that legislation had been passed in Iran allowing police to send text messages to women in their cars, telling them to not to take off their hijabs while driving.

STORY: OHCHR Comment on Iran Hijab Enforcement

TRT: 3 min 09s

SOURCE: UNTV CH

RESTRICTIONS: NONE

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

ASPECT RATIO: 16:9

DATELINE: 20 September 2022 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND

SHOTLIST

1: SOUNDBITE (ENGLISH) Ravina Shamdasani, OHCHR: Good morning, everyone. You should have received a press release at around 10.30am on this from our Acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Nada Al-Nashif. We are alarmed at the death in custody of Mahsa Amini- detained by Iran’s “morality police” enforcing strict hijab rules - and the violent response by security forces to ensuing protests. Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman from the Kurdish minority, was with her brother in Tehran when she was arrested on 13 September for what was perceived to be “improper” hijab. She fell into a coma shortly after collapsing at Vozara Detention Centre. Mahsa Amini ,who also goes by the Kurdish name Jhina, died three days later.

There are reports that Mahsa Amini was beaten on the head with a baton, and her head was banged against the vehicle by the so-called morality police. Authorities have stated that she died of natural causes.

Acting High Commissioner for human rights, Nada Al-Nashif, has called for an investigation, ‘A prompt, thorough, impartial investigation.’ Mahsa Amini’s tragic death and allegations of torture and ill-treatment must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated by an independent competent authority, that ensures, in particular, that her family has access to justice and truth.

Compulsory veiling laws remain of concern in Iran, where appearing in public without a hijab is punishable by imprisonment.

In recent months, the so-called morality police have expanded street patrols, subjecting women perceived to be wearing “loose hijab” to verbal and physical harassment and arrest. Our office has received numerous, and verified, videos of violent treatment of women, including slapping women across the face, beating them with batons and throwing them into police vans.

The authorities must stop targeting, harassing and detaining women who do not abide by the hijab rules. Nada Al-Nashif is calling for the repeal of all discriminatory laws and regulations that impose mandatory hijab.

Thousands have taken to the streets in a number of cities across the country, including in Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, Mashhad, Rasht, Saqqes and Sanandaj, in protests against Mahsa Amini’s death. Security forces have reportedly responded with live ammunition, pellet guns and teargas. At least two people have reportedly been killed and several injured, and a number have been arrested.

Nada Al-Nashif condemns the reported unnecessary or disproportionate use of force against protesters, and called on Iran - as a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - to respect the right to peacefully exercise freedom of expression, association and assembly.

The Acting High Commissioner also echoed past deep concerns of the UN Secretary-General about the ongoing repression of women human rights defenders who object to compulsory veiling and the response of the authorities to protests against compulsory veiling.”

ends

Similar Stories

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 05 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | IFRC , OHCHR

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 05 September 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, which was attended by spokespersons and representatives from the International Organization for Migration, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the World Meteorological Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

WMO Press conference: Global Air Pollution - 04 September 2025

2

3

2

Press Conferences | WMO

WMO Press conference: Global Air Pollution - 04 September 2025 ENG FRA

Launch of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)'s Air Quality and Climate Bulletin 2024.

OHCHR Press conference: 33rd CRPD Findings- 03 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OHCHR

OHCHR Press conference: 33rd CRPD Findings- 03 September 2025 ENG FRA

The UN disability rights committee (CRPD) presented the findings of its 33rd session on DPRK, Finland, Kiribati, Maldives and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

HRC - Press Conference: President of the Human Rights Council - 03 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | HRC

HRC - Press Conference: President of the Human Rights Council - 03 September 2025 ENG FRA

UN Human Rights Council President Ambassador Jürg Lauber briefs the press in Geneva ahead of the Council's 60th session.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 02 September 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OCHA , IFRC , UNHCR , OHCHR , UN WOMEN , UNFPA

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 02 September 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women, the United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Agency, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the International Federation of the Red Cross.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 29 August 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNOG , OHCHR , UN WOMEN , OCHA , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 29 August 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN Women, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 26 August 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNOG , OHCHR

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 26 August 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Famine in Gaza - Tom Fletcher

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OCHA , UNITED NATIONS

Famine in Gaza - Tom Fletcher ENG FRA

Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, briefed the press in Geneva on Friday on famine in Gaza.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 22 August 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OCHA , OHCHR , WHO , WFP , UNHCR

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 22 August 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci, Director of the United Nations Information Service in Geneva, chaired a hybrid press briefing, which was attended by the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, as well as representatives and spokespersons of the World Health Organization, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Refugee Agency, the World Food Programme, and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 19 August 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | UNOG , WHO , OCHA , OHCHR

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 19 August 2025 ENG FRA

Alessandra Vellucci of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the World Health Organization.

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 15 August 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences | OCHA , WHO

UN Geneva Press Briefing - 15 August 2025 ENG FRA

Rolando Gómez of the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) in Geneva, chaired the hybrid briefing, attended by spokespersons and representatives of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Health Organization.

INC5 2 Plastic Pollution Conference: UNEP Executive director Inger Andersen Media Stakeout - 15 August 2025

1

1

1

Press Conferences , Statements | UNEP

INC5 2 Plastic Pollution Conference: UNEP Executive director Inger Andersen Media Stakeout - 15 August 2025 ENG FRA

After 10 days of UN talks on plastic pollution, no consensus was reached; negotiations to continue.