Frankfurter Rundschau: [ID 8952]

Behjat Moaali: [ID 8955]

22.07.2008 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Iranian parliamentary committee approved bill to allow men to take second wife without approval of their first wife; law meets fierce objection of women's rights activists ("Activists Protest Parliament Move To Approve Polygamy") [ID 25082]

Document(s): Open document

09.07.2008 - Source: Federal Government (Germany)

Discrimination of women in criminal and civil law; plans for quota system for allocation of university places ("Aktuelle Menschenrechtslage im Iran -- Neues Straf- und Familienrecht, Antwort der Bundesregierung auf die Kleine Anfrage der Fraktion Bündnis 90/Die Grünen - BT-Drs. 16/9716 -") [ID 25068]

Document(s): Open document

02.07.2008 - Source: Freedom House

Situation of women in Iran ("Freedom in the World 2008") [ID 24898]

"Women are widely educated; 94 percent of secondary-school-aged girls attend school, compared to only 80 percent of boys, and a majority of university students are female. Although Iranian women currently hold seats in parliament, they do not enjoy the same political rights as men. They are barred from serving as judges and are routinely excluded from running for public office. Women also face systematic discrimination in legal and social matters.

A woman cannot obtain a passport without the permission of her husband or a male relative, and women do not enjoy equal rights under Sharia statutes governing divorce, inheritance, and child custody. A woman’s testimony in court is given only half the weight of a man’s. Women must conform to strict dress codes and are segregated from men in most public places.

Dozens of women’s rights advocates were arrested in 2007 for endangering national security and sentenced to prison terms. They were all part of a campaign to collect one million signatures to protest discriminatory laws."

Document(s): Open document

27.06.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Mahboubeh Karami is currently held in the women’s section of Evin Prison in Tehran; according to her mother, a member of the Campaign for Equality, about 90 women had been arrested; most of the women had nothing to do with the demonstration in Mellat Park which had been the trigger for the mass arrests ("Further Information on Urgent Action 169/08 (MDE 13/084/2008, 17 June 2008) [MDE 13/089/2008]") [ID 24885]

Document(s): Open document

20.06.2008 - Source: Iran Focus

Zanjan: Female student who claims she has been sexually harassed by senior lecturer, is arrested ("'Harassed' Iran student arrested") [ID 24878]

Document(s): Open document

20.06.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Hana Abdi has been sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment for gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security, to be served in exile in West Azerbaijan province; Ronak Safarzadeh is in custody awaiting a further trial session; both women are active members of the Campaign for Equality ("Further Information on Urgent Action 297/07 (MDE 13/130/2007, 07 November 2007) and follow-up (MDE 13/063/2008, 14 April 2008) [MDE 13/085/2008]") [ID 24879]

Document(s): Open document

20.06.2008 - Source: BBC News

Zanjan: Female student who alleged she was sexually harassed by her university's vice-chancellor is herself arrested, for publicising the crime ("'Harassed' Iran student arrested") [ID 24880]

Document(s): Open document

16.06.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Tehran: 9 women attempting to take part in a small, peaceful seminar to commemorate a day of solidarity with Iranian women were arrested ("Women’s Rights Activists arrested in peaceful solidarity demonstrations in Iran") [ID 24726]

Document(s): Open document

13.06.2008 - Source: Reporters Sans Frontières

9 women, including 5 journalists, arrested in latest attempt to intimidate cyber-feminists ("Nine women, including five journalists, arrested in latest attempt to intimidate cyber-feminists") [ID 24724]

Document(s): Open document

28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Activists working with the Campaign for Equality, which aims to collect a million signatures in Iran calling for an end to legalized discrimination against women, are facing harassment and arrest ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23404]

"Activists working with the Campaign for Equality, which aims to collect a million signatures in Iran calling for an end to legalized discrimination against women, faced harassment and arrest.

Nasim Sarabandi and Fatemeh Dehdashti were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, for “acting against national security through the spread of propaganda against the system”. They were the first people to be tried and sentenced for collecting signatures.

At the end of the year, four campaign activists remained in detention without charge or trial – Ronak Safarzadeh and Hana Abdi, Kurdish women who were detained in Sanandaj in October and November respectively; and Maryam Hosseinkhah and Jelveh Javaheri, who were detained in Tehran in connection with their work editing the campaign’s website. The authorities persistently filtered the website, making access difficult."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Government intensified its crackdown on "un-Islamic dress" in 2007; reports that force was used in several cases ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22875]

"[...] During the year, the government intensified its crackdown on "un-Islamic dress" or "bad hijab." In June, according to deputy police chief Hossein Zolfaghri, the government brought a total of 2,265 cases, against men and women, to the judiciary for trial on the charge of noncompliance with the Islamic dress code. According to a domestic press report, during the year the government warned more than 527,000 persons and arrested more than 20,000 persons, who were then released conditionally.

Police denied the use of force in these instances, but there were reports that force was used, including one widely-circulated image of a girl's face covered in blood after being beaten by police for un-Islamic dress. According to press reports, the Tehran police chief said that the girl had "instigated the incident herself.""

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Iranian government continues to prohibit or forcibly disperse peaceful demonstrations ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23024]

"The constitution permits assemblies and marches, "provided they do not violate the principles of Islam;" however, in practice the government restricted freedom of assembly and closely monitored gatherings to prevent antigovernment protests. Such gatherings included public entertainment and lectures, student meetings and protests, labor protests, women's gatherings and protests, funeral processions, and Friday prayer gatherings.

Paramilitary organizations such as the Ansar-e Hizballah, a group of vigilantes who seek to enforce their vision of appropriate revolutionary comportment upon society, harassed, beat, and intimidated those who demonstrated publicly for reform. They particularly targeted university students. [...]

[...] On March 4 [2007], days before International Women's Day on March 8, police arrested more than 30 women demonstrating outside a Tehran courthouse, protesting the trials of five women's rights activists charged for peacefully demonstrating in June 2006. All were later released but continued to face harassment by the authorities at year's end. [...]

[...] Some participants arrested during the 2006 International Women's Day commemoration remained in prison at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Islamic and penal codes discriminate against women; a number of women´s rights activists were detained and sentenced by the Iranian government in 2007 ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23201]

"The constitution says all citizens, both men and women, equally enjoy protection of the law and all human, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, in conformity with Islamic rights. Nonetheless, provisions in the Islamic civil and penal codes, in particular those sections dealing with family and property law, discriminate against women. Shortly after the 1979 revolution, the government repealed the 1967 Family Protection Law that provided women with increased rights in the home and workplace and replaced it with a legal system based largely on Shari'a practices. In 1998 the Majles passed legislation that mandated segregation of the sexes in the provision of medical care. In 2003 the Council of Guardians rejected a bill that would require the country to adopt a UN convention ending discrimination against women.

In April the revolutionary courts sentenced Parvin Ardalan, Nushin Ahmadi Khorasani, Sussan Tahmasebi, Shahla Entessari, and Fariba Davoudi Mohajer to between two and four years in prison for "acting against national security" for organizing a June 2006 women's rights rally. The courts suspended some portions of some sentences.

The government continued to arrest and detain members of the "One Million Signatures Campaign Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws," which activists launched in 2006 to promote women's rights. On July 11, security forces detained Amir Yaghoub Ali for collecting signatures for the campaign in Tehran's Andishe Park. Security forces detained him in section 209 of Evin Prison. On August 8, authorities released him on bail after four weeks in custody. […]

On July 2, authorities sentenced women's rights activist Delaram Ali to 20 lashes and two years and 10 months in prison for her participation in a June 2006 women's rights rally. The judge charged her with "acting against national security" and "propaganda against the system." Following international protests, on November 4, the judiciary reduced her sentence to 10 lashes and two and a half years in prison and on November 10, authorities temporarily suspended her sentence.

On August 12, authorities sentenced Nasim Sarbandi and Fatemeh Dehdashti to six months in prison and two-year suspended sentences reportedly for collecting signatures for the One Million Signatures campaign at a Tehran train station.

On October 9, authorities arrested Ronak Safarzadeh in the city of Sanandaj for collecting signatures for the One Million Signatures campaign.

On November 4, student Hana Abdi was also arrested for collecting signatures for the One Million Signatures campaign. No known charges were filed, and both Abdi and Safarzadeh remained in prison at year's end.

On November 18, authorities arrested women's rights activist and journalist Maryam Hosseinkhah. She was accused of "propaganda against the system." Hosseinkhah was one of the publishers of Zanestan Web site, which was shut down on November 17. She reportedly remained in detention in Evin Prison, unable to meet the $107,000 (1 billion rials) bail. Authorities reportedly denied her lawyer access to the details of her case.

On December 1, authorities arrested women's rights activist Jelveh Javaheri following an interrogation at the security branch of the revolutionary court. Authorities reportedly charged her with "inciting public opinion,", "propaganda against the system," and "publishing false information.""

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Hidden Prostitution in Iran ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23202]

"Prostitution is illegal, but "sigheh," or temporary marriage, is legal. Accurate information regarding the extent of prostitution was not widely available. Press reports described prostitution as a widespread problem, with a media estimate of 300,000 women working as prostitutes. The problem appeared aggravated by difficult economic conditions and rising numbers of drug users and runaway children. [...]

The country's Islamic law permits a man to have up to four wives and an unlimited number of temporary partnerships (sigheh), based on a Shi'a custom in which a woman may become the wife of a Muslim male after a simple religious ceremony and a civil contract outlining the union's conditions. Temporary marriages may last for any length of time and are used sometimes by prostitutes. Such wives were not granted rights associated with traditional marriage."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Iranian penal code includes provisions for stoning persons convicted of adultery; laws discriminate against women ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23204]

"The penal code includes provisions for stoning persons convicted of adultery, although judges were instructed in 2002 to cease imposing such sentences. During the year, authorities carried out the sentence against one man, Jafar Kiani. Rights groups reported that at least nine people-—mostly women—-remained sentenced to death by stoning in the country.

In addition a man could escape punishment for killing a wife caught in the act of adultery if he was certain she was a consenting partner; the same rule does not apply for women. Women may also receive disproportionate punishment for crimes, including death sentences. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

The role of women in Iranian society: Unemployment rate, political and legal discrimination, gender segregation in public spaces ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 23205]

"The testimony of two women equates with that of one man. The blood money paid to the family of a female crime victim was half the sum paid for a man.

Women had access to primary and advanced education. Reportedly over 60 percent of university students were women; however, social and legal constraints limited their professional opportunities. Women were represented in many fields of the work force, including the legislature and municipal councils, police, and firefighters. However, their unemployment rate reportedly was significantly higher than for men, and they represented only 11 percent of the workforce. Women reportedly occupied 1.2 percent of higher management positions and 5.2 percent of managerial positions.

Women cannot serve as president or as certain types of judges (women can be consultant and research judges without the power to impose sentences). The constitution requires that Assembly of Experts candidates have a certain religious qualification. Citing this requirement, some religious leaders gave qualified support for the candidacy of women in the Assembly of Experts elections. In December 2006 two women took the religious qualification exam, but neither passed.

Women owned property and businesses in their name, and they obtained credit at a bank. The law provides maternity, child care, and pension benefits. The number of women's NGOs has reportedly increased from approximately 130 to 450 in the past decade.

The government enforced gender segregation in most public spaces and prohibited women from mixing openly with unmarried men or men not related to them. Women must ride in a reserved section on public buses and enter public buildings, universities, and airports through separate entrances.

The penal code provides that if a woman appears in public without the appropriate Islamic covering (hijab), she can be sentenced to lashings and/or fined. However, absent a clear legal definition of appropriate hijab or the punishment, women were at the mercy of the disciplinary forces or the judge. […]"

Document(s): Open document

10.01.2008 - Source: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Query response on enforcement of the Official Dress Code (2005 - December 2007) ("Enforcement of the Official Dress Code (2005 - Dec. 2007) [IRN102671.E]") [ID 22507]

"Women in Iran are required by Iranian penal law to maintain "Islamic dress in public" [...] and therefore must cover their hair and neck completely and wear clothing that does not reveal the shape of the body (...; Reuters 18 Apr. 2006). Men cannot wear shorts and women cannot reveal their hair or ankles (RFE/RL 19 Apr. 2006).

Sources describe violations of the dress code to include wearing colourful scarves or tight coats, men sporting "Western" hairstyles (RFE/RL 2 May 2007), women wearing loose-fitting scarves or shortened trousers which expose skin (The Guardian 20 Apr. 2006; BBC 21 Apr. 2006) and women wearing makeup (US 6 Mar. 2007, Sec. 1.c).

Detentions and other punishment on the basis of "un-Islamic appearance" have extended to "young men playing loud music in their cars" (RFE/RL 2 May 2007) and persons who walk pet dogs in public (The Guardian 20 Apr. 2006; RFE/RL 14 Sept. 2007; BBC 21 Apr. 2006).

[...] According to a report of the Danish Immigration Service, the legal basis for Iranian clothing rules is found in the penal code which "stipulates that women that show themselves in public places without Islamic clothing should be sentenced to from ten days to two months imprisonment or a fine" (Denmark Apr. 2005, 12).

Other sources note that people who violate the dress code may have to sign "statements pledging not to violate the dress code" (RFE/RL 2 May 2007) or may receive verbal reprimands (UK 27 Feb. 2007), lashes (Reuters 18 Apr. 2006; UK 27 Feb. 2007) fines (Reuters 18 Apr. 2006) and/or up to three months' imprisonment (UK 27 Feb. 2007). [...]"

Document(s): Open document

05.12.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Women activists rally against discriminatory laws; since start of campaign, 40 activists have been prosecuted ("Women Rejecting The 'Little Miseries'") [ID 22134]

Document(s): Open document

02.12.2007 - Source: Guardian

General practitioner dies in custody after arrest for sitting with her fiancee in the park; police say she committed suicide ("Young woman doctor who fell foul of Iran's 'love police' was strangled"), Author: The Observer [ID 21824]

Document(s): Open document

07.11.2007 - Source: Amnesty International

Sanandaj: 2 women's rights activists detained; they are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment; both women are active members of the Campaign for Equality, which is seeking an end to legalised discrimination against women ("Urgent Action 297/07 [MDE 13/130/2007]") [ID 21733]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Legal system discriminates against women ("International Religious Freedom Report 2007") [ID 21196]

"The legal system discriminates against religious minorities. Article 297 of the amended 1991 Islamic Punishments Act authorizes collection of equal "blood money" (diyeh) as restitution to the families for the death of both Muslims and non-Muslims. Prior to the 2004 change, the law gave a lesser monetary amount as "blood money" for non-Muslims than for Muslims.

All women [...] are excluded from the equalization provisions of the bill. Restitution for the death of a woman is half that of a man.

[...] The Government propagated a legal interpretation of Islam that effectively deprived women of many rights granted to men. Gender segregation was enforced, generally throughout the country, without regard to religious affiliation. Women of all religious groups are expected to adhere to Islamic dress in public. Although enforcement of rules for conservative Islamic dress eased in previous years, the Government periodically cracks down on "un-Islamic dress," particularly during the summer months. The crackdowns on "un-Islamic dress" during the reporting period were much harsher than in recent years.

The Government's 12‑point contract model for marriage and divorce limits the rights accorded to women by custom and traditional interpretations of Islamic law."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Teheran: On 8 March 2006 police dispersed a rally commemorating the International Women's Day ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20747]

"On March 8, police dispersed a rally in Tehran commemorating International Women's Day. Participants were reportedly attacked and beaten by police (see section 5)."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Women serving in high-level political positions ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 20972]

"There were no female cabinet ministers, although one of the nine vice presidents is a woman, and several women held high-level positions. There were 12 women serving in the Majles during the year, and one woman was elected to the Majles in the December 15 by-elections.Five Majles seats are reserved for religious minorities. Other ethnic minorities in the Majles include Arabs and Kurds. There were no non-Muslims in the cabinet or on the Supreme Court."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Provisions in the Islamic civil and penal codes, especially family and property law, discriminate against women ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21068]

"The constitution says all citizens, both men and women, equally enjoy protection of the law and all human, political, economic, social, and cultural rights, in conformity with Islamic rights. Article 21 states the government must ensure the rights of women in all respects, in conformity with Islamic criteria.

Nonetheless, provisions in the Islamic civil and penal codes, in particular those sections dealing with family and property law, discriminate against women. Shortly after the 1979 revolution, the government repealed the 1967 Family Protection Law that provided women with increased rights in the home and workplace and replaced it with a legal system based largely on Shari'a practices. In 1998 the Majles passed legislation that mandated segregation of the sexes in the provision of medical care. In 2003 the Council of Guardians rejected a bill that would require the country to adopt a UN convention ending discrimination against women."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Tehran: Security forces attacked a rally commemorating the International Women's Day on 8 March 2006; many demonstrators were reportedly beaten by the police ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21069]

"On March 8, security forces attacked a rally in Tehran commemorating International Women's Day (see section 2.b.). An estimated 400 demonstrators gathered, and the police forcibly dispersed the demonstration. Many demonstrators were reportedly beaten by police, including septuagenarian writer and activist Simin Behbehani. According to one women's rights activist, the rally organizers applied for a demonstration permit, but it was denied minutes before the rally was scheduled to begin."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Government radically rejects feminist views ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21070]

"On April 22, government spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi called feminist views and Western views of women's rights "unrealistic" and "unethical" and stated the issue was manipulated for international political purposes. [...]

In 2005activists [sic!] on women's issues expressed concern that the woman selected by President Ahmadinejad to lead the Center for Women's Participation, which is affiliated with the office of the president, did not have a background in women's issues. In addition the government changed the name of the organization to the Center for Women and Family, raising concern that the organization sought to reorient debate on women's problems to focus only on those related to the home, concerns that proved accurate. During the year this office published reports on feminism with a negative slant. In one article it drew comparisons between feminism and prostitution."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

On 12 June 2006 security forces forcibly dispersed a women's rights demonstration calling for gender equality under the law; 70 to 80 persons, including a former Majles deputy, were arrested ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21071]

"On June 12, security forces forcibly dispersed another women's rights demonstration and arrested approximately 70 to 80 persons, including former Majles deputy and activist Ali Akbar Mousavi Khoini. Demonstrators called for gender equality under the law, including equal rights in divorce, child custody, inheritance, and court testimony."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

UN resolution on 19 December 2006 expresses serious concern at "the continuing violence and discrimination against women and girls in law and in practice" ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21072]

"The December 19UNGA resolution on country's human rights expressed serious concern at "the continuing violence and discrimination against women and girls in law and in practice." Early in 2005 a UNSR on violence against women visited the country and, at her final press conference, spoke out against legal gender bias.

The report found the government had taken significant but insufficient steps to address the problem of violence against women, and it called on the government to ratify the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which was proposed by parliament in 2003."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Spousal abuse and violence against women occur, reliable statistics are not available; abuse in the family is considered a private matter and seldom discussed publicly ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21073]

"Although spousal abuse and violence against women occurred, reliable statistics were not available. Abuse in the family was considered a private matter and seldom discussed publicly, although there were some efforts to change this attitude. Rape is illegal and subject to strict penalties, but it remained a widespread problem.

According to the government's 2005report on the rights of the child, the Center for Women's Participation and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) organized the first educational workshop on women's and girls' human rights in January 2005. Freedom from violence was one of the workshop's topics. The report also stated that in 2004 the Center for Women's Participation established a national committee, based in the Health Ministry, to combat violence against women; however, during the year there was no information on committee activity since its formation."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Honour killings especially in the Western and South-western provinces; the punishment for perpetrators is often a short prison sentence ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21074]

"According to a 2004 report on the country from the Independent Researchers on Women's Issues, there were no reliable statistics on honor killings, but there was evidence of "rampant" honor killings in the western and southwestern provinces, in particular Khuzestan and Elam. The punishment for perpetrators was often a short prison sentence."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Prostitution is illegal, but "sigheh" or temporary marriage, is legal ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21075]

"Prostitution is illegal, but sigheh, or temporary marriage, is legal. Accurate information regarding the extent of prostitution was not widely available, although the issue received greater attention than in previous years. Press reports described prostitution as a widespread problem, with a mediaestimate of 300,000 women working as prostitutes. The problem appeared aggravated by difficult economic conditions and rising numbers of drug users and runaway children. "

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Matrimonial law: Minimum-ages for marriage; Islamic law permits a man to have up to 4 wives and an unlimited number of temporary partnerships (sigheh) ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21076]

"The law requires court approval for the marriage of girls younger than 13 and boys younger than 15. Although a male can marry at age 15 without parental consent, the 1991 civil law states that a virgin female needs the consent of her father or grandfather to wed, or the court's permission, even if she is older than 18.

The country's Islamic law permits a man to have up to four wives and an unlimited number of temporary partnerships (sigheh), based on a Shi'a custom in which a woman may become the wife of a Muslim male after a simple religious ceremony and a civil contract outlining the union's conditions. Temporary marriages may last for any length of time and are used sometimes by prostitutes. Such wives are not granted rights associated with traditional marriage."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Divorce law: Unequal divorcing standards between wives and husbands ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21077]

"Women have the right to divorce if their husband signed a contract granting that right or if he cannot provide for his family, is a drug addict, insane, or impotent. However, a husband is not required to cite a reason for divorcing his wife."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Discrimination against women in law and practice: Disproportionate punishments, testimony, blood money; a married woman must obtain the written consent of her husband before travelling abroad ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21079]

"The penal code includes provisions for stoning persons convicted of adultery, although judges were instructed in 2002 to cease imposing such sentences. In addition a man could escape punishment for killing a wife caught in the act of adultery if he was certain she was a consenting partner; the same rule does not apply for women. Women may also receive disproportionate punishment for crimes, including death sentences (see section 1.a.).

In August the government reportedly authorized judges to resume the sentence of stoning (see section 1.c.). In October human rights groups and activists called on the government to end the practice. Activists reportedly published a list of 11 persons who had been sentenced to stoning during the year and noted reports that two persons were stoned in May. Government officials continued to deny that stoning sentences were imposed or implemented.

The testimony of two women equates with that of one man. The blood money paid to the family of a female crime victim is half the sum paid for a man. A married woman must obtain the written consent of her husband before traveling outside the country (see section 2.d.)."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Reportedly 60 percent of the university students are women but they represent only 11 percent of the working force ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21097]

"Women had access to primary and advanced education. Reportedly over 60 percent of university students were women; however, social and legal constraints limited their professional opportunities. Women were represented in many fields of the work force, including the legislature and municipal councils, police, and firefighters.

However, their unemployment rate reportedly was significantly higher than for men, and they represented only 11 percent of the workforce. Women reportedly occupied 1.2 percent of higher management positions and 5.2 percent of managerial positions."

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

Women practically excluded from high ranking political position ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21098]

"Women cannot serve as president or as certain types of judges (women can be consultant and research judges without the power to impose sentences). Eighty-nine women registered to run for president in 2005, but all were rejected by the Council of Guardians. This year women's rights activists made an effort to allow women to run for the Assembly of Experts.

The constitution requires that Assembly of Experts candidates have a certain religious qualification. Citing this requirement, some religious leaders gave qualified support for the candidacy of women in the Assembly of Experts elections. Two women took the religious qualification exam, but neither passed.

"

Document(s): Open document

06.03.2007 - Source: US Department of State

UN expresses concern about persistent discrimination against girls especially in the educational system ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2006") [ID 21101]

"[...] The UN committee noted positively the provision of free education for all citizens up to secondary school. However, it expressed concern about persistent discrimination against girls and recommended the government review all legislation to ensure it was nondiscriminatory. Among its recommendations, the committee urged the government ensure all children were registered at birth and acquired permanent nationality without discrimination."

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2007 - Source: Minority Rights Group International

The situation of women in Iran ("State of the World's Minorities 2007") [ID 22403]

"Women in Iran remained subject to severe restrictions on their rights in accordance with Iran’s interpretation of the tenets of Sharia law, including the requirement that married women receive their husbands’ permission to work.

Iran’s ruling clerics rejected a suggestion from President Ahmadinejad at the time of the 2006 World Cup that women be allowed to attend football matches, ruling that it was un-Islamic for women to look at strange men’s legs.

Human Rights Watch reported that, in June 2006, police brutally assaulted hundreds of peaceful protesters in Tehran who were demanding an end to legally sanctioned discrimination against women."

Document(s): Open document

01.2007 - Source: Human Rights Watch

No tolerance for peaceful protests and gatherings: The example of woman's rights activists in Tehran in March and June 2006 ("World Report 2007") [ID 18993]

"The Ahmadinejad government, in a pronounced shift from the policy under former president Mohammed Khatami, has shown no tolerance for peaceful protests and gatherings. In January 2006 security forces attacked striking bus drivers in Tehran and detained hundreds. [...]

In March police and plainclothes agents charged a peaceful assembly of women’s rights activists in Tehran and beat hundreds of women and men who had gathered to commemorate International Women’s Day. In June as women’s rights defenders assembled again in Tehran, security forces beat them with batons, sprayed them with pepper gas, marked the demonstrators with sprayed dye, and took 70 people into custody."

Document(s): Open document

24.11.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Conservatives are pushing to increase the segregation of men and women in public ("Iran: Debate Sharpens Over Gender Segregation") [ID 18013]

Document(s): Open document

15.09.2006 - Source: US Department of State

New model for marriage and divorce discriminates against women ("International Religious Freedom Report 2006") [ID 17644]

"In 1986 the Government issued a twelve‑point contract to serve as a model for marriage and divorce, which limited the privileges accorded to women by custom and traditional interpretations of Islamic law. Many female Muslims were seeking to eliminate laws and practices that discriminate against women, arguing that relegating women to a lesser status due to, inter alia, their being considered "deficient in reason" was not a precept of Islam, but rather a non-Islamic accretion to Islamic practices."

Document(s): Open document

23.05.2006 - Source: Amnesty International

Criticism of UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women after visiting Iran ("Annual Report 2006") [ID 18901]

"The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women visited Iran in January and February. She criticized the arbitrary arrest, torture and ill-treatment of women, including women human rights defenders, and called on Iran to adopt a national action plan to promote and protect human rights that would eliminate violence against women. She also expressed particular concern at discriminatory laws and failures in the administration of justice which result in impunity for perpetrators and perpetuate discrimination and violence against women.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing noted discrimination against women in relation to housing and a lack of safe houses for women who are victims of violence."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Call for investigation after suicides of female prisoners ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18474]

"The report [of the supervising and inspection committee for preserving citizens' rights] also called for an investigation of suicides by female inmates in Rajai'i Shahr prison."

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2006 - Source: US Department of State

Female journalist addressing women's issues arrested and beaten ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2005") [#46058],  [ID 18711]

"In October 2004 Fereshteh Ghazi, a journalist addressing women's issues for the daily newspaper Etemad, was arrested on a variety of charges. According to press accounts, at least part of the time she was held in an undisclosed location and beaten for refusing to confess. Upon release in December 2004, she was immediately hospitalized."

Document(s): Open document

18.09.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

New security measures by government include appointment of provincial governors-general with security background and crackdown on social malefactors ("Iran: New Security Measures Not Welcomed By All") [#36835],  [ID 8895]

Document(s): Open document

03.08.2005 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

Khatami's achievements for Iranian women ("Iran: Women Weigh Khatami's Legacy On Gender Issues") [#34806],  [ID 8897]

Document(s): Open document

08.2005 - Source: Freedom House

Women ("Freedom in the World 2005") [#41317],  [ID 8898]

"[...]Although women enjoy the same political rights as men and currently hold several seats in parliament and even one of Iran’s vice presidencies, they face discrimination in legal and social matters. A woman cannot obtain a passport without the permission of a male relative or her husband, and women do not enjoy equal rights under Sharia (Islamic law) statutes governing divorce, inheritance, and child custody. A woman’s testimony in court is given only half the weight of a man’s. Women must conform to strict dress codes and are segregated from men in most public places. In August, a 16-year-old girl was executed after being sentenced to death for “acts incompatible with chastity.”[...]"

Document(s): Open document

15.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Girl sentenced to death by stoning for being raped by her brother ("Report of Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief - Summary of cases transmitted to Governments and replies received (E/CN.4/2005/61/Add.1)") [#30271],  [ID 8899]

"[...]140. On 20 October 2004, the Special Rapporteur, jointly with the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the question of torture and the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences transmitted an urgent appeal to the Government regarding J.I., aged 13, who was reportedly sentenced to death by stoning in Marivan for adultery and was at risk of imminent execution. According to the information received, she was raped by her 15-year-old brother and became pregnant. She gave birth to her baby about two weeks before the urgent appeal was sent. It was reported that J.I. would not have the possibility to appeal the sentence, which was said to be carried out in the following days. Her brother was sentenced to 100 lashes, in accordance with Islamic laws. He was in prison in Tehran awaiting his punishment.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

08.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Iran's laws permit violence against women ("Civil and political rights [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/310]") [#30293],  [ID 8900]

"[...]According to the UN’s top official on women’s rights, Yakin Erturk, Iran’s laws “do not provide protection for victims of domestic violence and make it difficult to escape violence through divorce,” and suffering wives face “time-consuming judicial procedures and stigmatization.” Moreover, women complaining of rape run the risk of being charged for adultery. “Victims of rape face obstacles in seeking justice, and if they cannot prove they have been raped, they face sentences.”[...]"

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Written statement by the International Federation for Human Rights Leagues (FIDH) on freedom of expression, torture, women rights, discrimination against minorities and the death penalty ("Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/158]") [#30291],  [ID 8901]

"[...]Women do not enjoy the same rights as men within the judicial process. The responsibility under criminal law for the girls is 9 years old, while it is 15 years for the boys. They could even be condemned to the death penalty. On the contrary, they are responsible under civil law when they reach 18 years old, except if a court states that the child is mentally mature. According to article 300 of the Islamic Penal Code, the blood money for a woman is half as much as that of a man. If a woman kills someone (a man or a woman), she may be condemned to the death penalty. However, according to Art. 209 of the Islamic Penal Code, if a woman is murdered by a man, the family of the victim must pay (half of the blood price of the murderer) to the family of the murderer in order to allow that the murderer be judged by a court and condemned to the death penalty.The legal value of a woman's sworn testimony has half the value of a man's testimony
The state takes half a couple estate if a husband dies in the absence of other heirs than his wife. The wife inherits only half of the estate. When wives die in the same circumstances, husbands are entitled to the entire estate. The outgoing parliament adopted a bill to address that discrimination in May 2004. However, the Council of Guardians didn't approve the reform yet.
It should also be noted that women need to get an authorisation from their husband in order to travel or work.[...]"

Document(s): Open document

04.03.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Written statement by the Research Institute for Rehabilitation and Improvement For Women's Life on situation of women ("The right to development [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/189]") [#30292],  [ID 8902]

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Women ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8904]

"[...] After the revolution, the judicial system was revised to conform to an Islamic canon based on the Koran, Sunna, and other Islamic sources. Article 157 provides that the Head of the Judiciary, currently Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi, shall be a cleric chosen by the Supreme Leader. The head of the Supreme Court and Prosecutor General also must be clerics. Women are barred from serving as judges. [...]

Vigilante violence included attacking young persons considered too "un-Islamic" in their dress or activities, invading private homes, abusing unmarried couples, and disrupting concerts or other forms of popular entertainment. Attackers targeted women whose clothing did not cover their hair and all parts of their body except the hands and face or those who wore makeup or nail polish. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Discrimination & societal inferiority of women ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8905]

"[...]Although spousal abuse and violence against women occurred, statistics were not available. Abuse in the family was considered a private matter and seldom was discussed publicly. Rape is illegal, and subject to strict penalties, but remained a widespread problem. The UNSR published statistics provided by the IHRC indicating that, at the end of 2001, an estimated 1,000 of approximately 3,000 active files were related to women's issues.

In July, the Supreme Court voided the death sentence against Afsaneh Noroozi and ordered the case re-investigated by the original court. Noroozi has been jailed since 1997, having been accused of killing a police chief on Kish Island in the southern part of the country. Noroozi's lawyers claimed the act was legally permitted ("mashru"), as the official had tried to rape her, and the country's Islamic penal code allows citizens to take proportionate action to defend "life, honor, chastity, property, or freedom." In November 2003, after lobbying by female Majlis representatives and international attention, judiciary head Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi-Shahrudi lifted her death sentence and returned the case to the Supreme Court. On December 21, the Kish Island court began a new trial of Nooroozi.

Prostitution was illegal. Accurate information regarding the extent of the problem was not widely available, although the issue received greater attention as a result of the public's growing interest in social problems. Press reports described prostitution as a widespread problem, and government statistics showed the average age of prostitutes to be dropping.

In December, human rights groups reported that "Leyla M," an 18-year-old with a mental age of 8 years, faced imminent execution for "morality-related" offences arising from her being forced into prostitution by her parents as a child. In late November, she was sentenced to death by a court in Arak, and the sentence was subsequently passed to the Supreme Court for confirmation. According to November press reports, social workers tested her mental capacities repeatedly, and each time they have found her to have a mental age of 8 years. However, she has apparently never been examined by the court-appointed doctors and was sentenced to death solely on the basis of her explicit confessions, without consideration of her background or mental health.

Provisions in the Islamic Civil and Penal Codes, in particular those sections dealing with family and property law, discriminate against women. Shortly after the 1979 revolution, the Government repealed the Family Protection Law, a hallmark bill adopted in 1967 that had given women increased rights in the home and workplace, and replaced it with a legal system based largely on Shari'a practices. In 1998, the Majlis passed legislation that mandated segregation of the sexes in the provision of medical care. In August 2003, the Council of Guardians rejected a bill that would require the country to adopt U.N. conventions on eliminating torture and ending discrimination against women. [...]

The testimony of a woman is worth half that of a man in court. The blood money paid to the family of a female crime victim is half the sum paid for a man. A married woman must obtain the written consent of her husband before traveling outside the country (see Section 2.d.).

Women had access to primary and advanced education. Reportedly 60 percent of university students were women; however, social and legal constraints limited their professional opportunities. Women were represented in many fields of the work force, and the Government has not prevented women from entering many traditionally male-dominated fields; however, their unemployment rate reportedly was significantly higher than for men. Women can own property in their own name, own businesses, and obtain credit at a bank. Women are barred from seeking the presidency and from appointment to the judiciary. The law provides maternity, child care, and pension benefits. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Women must obtain male permission to leave the country ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29525],  [ID 8906]

"[...] Women must obtain the permission of their husband, father, or another male relative to obtain a passport. Married women must receive written permission from their husbands before being allowed to leave the country. [...]"

Document(s): Open document

24.02.2005 - Source: BBC News

The court dismissed teenage girl's claim that she was raped, and sentenced her to 100 lashes; international concerns about women's rights in Iran continue to be raised ("Iran girl gets 100 lashes for sex") [#29224],  [ID 8907]

Document(s): Open document

14.02.2005 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Written statement by the Organization for Defending Victims of Violence (ODVV) on violations of women's rights ("Integration of the human rights of women and the gender perspective: violence against women [E/CN.4/2005/NGO/72]") [#30289],  [ID 8903]

Document(s): Open document

13.01.2005 - Source: BBC News

Woman sentenced to death for killing a police official she said had tried to rape her, pardoned after victim's family agreed to accept compensation instead of seeking her execution ("Iranian rape case woman pardoned") [#28253],  [ID 8908]

Document(s): Open document

11.01.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Leyla Mafi, who was sentenced to death for "morality-related" offences arising from her being forced into prostitution as a child, is no longer in imminent danger of execution ("Iran - Further Information on UA 332/04") [#28176],  [ID 8909]

Document(s): Open document

29.12.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Women are being systematically discriminated by Islamic Shari'a laws ("Women are terrorized") [#28014],  [ID 8910]

Document(s): Open document

16.12.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Girl is at risk of imminent execution after her death sentence for adultery was upheld by the Supreme Court; she could allegedly be stoned to death as early as 21 December; her unnamed co-defendant is at risk of imminent execution by hanging ("Iran - UA 336/04") [#27656],  [ID 8911]

Document(s): Open document

10.12.2004 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Girl, who has a mental age of eight, is reportedly facing imminent execution for "morality-related" offences arising from her being forced into prostitution as a child; she was reportedly sentenced to death by a court in Arak when she was 18 ("Iran - UA 332/04") [#27573],  [ID 8912]

Document(s): Open document

08.10.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Woman reportedly sentenced to death for killing her husband ("Sentenced to death for killing abusive husband") [#26326],  [ID 8913]

Document(s): Open document

07.10.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Woman sentenced to death for the murder of her husband, who allegedly tried to rape her daughter from a previous marriage; she is at risk of imminent execution ("Iran - UA 281/04") [#26206],  [ID 8914]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2004 - Source: Die Presse

Interview with activist Shirin Ebadi on situation of women ("Interview: Ebadis Leben mit der Angst - "Frau ist nur die Hälfte wert"") [#25527],  [ID 8915]

Document(s): Open document

14.09.2004 - Source: Der Standard

Interview with activist Shirin Ebadi on situation of women (""Unterm Schah wäre ich nicht hier gesessen"") [#25528],  [ID 8916]

Document(s): Open document

02.08.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Iran's Supreme Court quashed death sentence of woman convicted of murder of senior police official, who had tried to rape her; Supreme Court "found deficiencies in her case" ("Iran - Further Information on EXTRA 44/03") [#24384],  [ID 8917]

Document(s): Open document

27.07.2004 - Source: BBC News

Woman convicted of killing an intelligence officer she claimed tried to rape her, has had her death sentence quashed ("Iran 'killer of rapist' reprieved") [#24314],  [ID 8918]

Document(s): Open document

12.07.2004 - Source: BBC News

Iran's morality police have made several raids in Tehran, in an apparent crackdown on women who flout the strict Islamic dress code ("Iran police in fashion crackdown") [#23944],  [ID 8919]

Document(s): Open document

21.06.2004 - Source: BBC News

Iran's government has launched a crackdown on women who flout the strict Islamic dress codes during the summer months ("Iran cracks down on summer dress") [#23473],  [ID 8920]

"The hardline police chief in Tehran said his force was now determined to enforce the Islamic measures and punish the offenders.

Such announcements are usually common at the beginning of summer when many women defy the rules by wearing shorter, tighter and brighter coats.

But reformist politicians in Iran fear that this time the conservatives - who have reasserted their power after general elections, in which many pro-reform candidates were banned from standing - may really intend to try to enforce such measures.

Reports say that in recent weeks raids on mixed-sex parties and coffee shops, where young people flirt over a burger or coke, have increased.

But most observers say the crackdown would be counter-productive in a country where two-thirds of the people are under 30 and women play an important role in society."

Document(s): Open document

09.06.2004 - Source: Asian Centre for Human Rights

Women activists celebrating International Women's Day in Tehran beaten up by Basij volunteer group ("EU-Iran Dialogue on Human Rights: One step forward, two steps back (ACHRF/24/04)") [#23237],  [ID 8921]

"There is little freedom of association and assembly. On 8 March 2004, members of the vigilante Basij volunteer group beat up women activists celebrating the International Women's Day in Tehran. Several people were reportedly arrested."

Document(s): Open document

11.05.2004 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

A bill granting women equal inheritance rights to men has been approved by Iran's reformist parliament ("Reformists propose equal inheritance rights for women") [#22116],  [ID 8922]

Document(s): Open document

03.03.2004 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Report focused on violence against women - individual cases documented ("Violence against women: Report of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women its causes and consequences, Yakin Ertürk E/CN.4/2004/66/Add.1") [#21425],  [ID 8923]

Document(s): Open document

27.02.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Mohsen Mofidi, charged with possessing the illegal satellite dish, alcohol and with fostering the corruption of his younger sisters, died after flogging while in detention ("Iran: Justice denied to man who died after flogging") [#19821],  [ID 8924]

Document(s): Open document

13.02.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Mohsen Mofidi and his two sisters sentenced to prison sentences and flogging on charges including possession of an illegal satellite dish, alcohol consumption and corruption/the sisters fled to Canada, but the man's sentence could be carried out at any time ("Iran - UA 65/04") [#19405],  [ID 8925]

Document(s): Open document

04.02.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Qazvin: woman, who was sentenced to execution and flogging in connection with running a brothel, was hanged ("Iran - Further Information on UA 11/04") [#19165],  [ID 8926]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

03.02.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Woman, convicted of murdering a man she apparently planned to marry, sentenced to death/ she may be executed at any time ("Iran - UA 34/04") [#19160],  [ID 8927]

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Woman at risk of imminent execution/ she was sentenced to death for the premeditated murder of her mother-in-law in 2000, and her husband, the victim's son, has demanded that the death sentence be carried out ("Iran - UA 364/03") [#18266],  [ID 8928]

Document(s): Open document

05.12.2003 - Source: World Organisation Against Torture

2003 Nobel Peace Prize Winner threatened by Hezbollah members while going to University of Tehran Azzahra (reserved for women) to make a speech on women rights and the right of custody for the mothers ("Iran: Threats against Mrs Shirin Ebadi [IRN 005/1203/OBS 067]") [#18078],  [ID 8929]

Document(s): Open document

19.11.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

7 women who allegedly showed disrespect during the month of Ramadan sentenced to 50 lashes in Shiraz; 4 men sentenced to death by stoning by a court in Mashhad ("Iran: Alarming spiral of human rights violations mar positive steps") [#17730],  [ID 8930]

Document(s): Open document

23.10.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Following national and international pressure, the Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Hashemi Shahroudi, has reportedly ordered that the execution of Afsaneh Norouzi should be delayed ("Iran - Further Information on EXTRA 44/03") [#17063],  [ID 8931]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

15.07.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Simin Mohammadi reportedly held in solitary confinement at Evin prison, in the capital Tehran/ she does not have access to a lawyer, and may be at risk of torture or ill-treatment ("Iran - Further Information on UA 181/03") [#14335],  [ID 8932]

Document(s): Open document
Open document

02.12.2002 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("Iran women get more divorce rights") [#9806],  [ID 8947]

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

UK Home Office: Two types of marriage sanctioned by current Iranian law: permanent marriage and temporary marriage ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8934]

"5.136. Current law in Iran sanctions two types of marriage: permanent marriage and temporary marriage (called sigheh or mut'a). Temporary marriage is limited by a period of time, normally specified in the marriage contract, which may vary from 1 hour to 99 years. The husband may terminate the marriage at any time. Men are allowed up to four permanent wives and an unlimited number of concubines or temporary wives. Muslim men are free to marry non-Muslim women, but marriage between Muslim women and non-Muslim men is not recognised.

5.137. The marriage rate increased by only 4per cent from 1987 to 1995, whereas the divorce rate increased by 9per cent over the same period. [3(b)] The showing of the film “Leila” in Teheran in 1997 generated public debate about the status of married women, and of multiple marriage in particular. [10(b)] The minimum legal age for marriage is 9 years, [4(f)] although the Majles have passed a bill raising the age to 13 for girls and 15 for boys. Although marriage at the minimum age is rare. All women must have the permission of the father or a living male relative to marry.

5.138. Following the 1979 Revolution in Iran, Islamic leaders told the populace to procreate and produce an army of 20 million. The population subsequently grew by up to 4per cent per annum. However, the clerics now support the notion of contraception with teachings from the Koran, and the population growth rate has halved.

5.139. Iran' s reformist parliament passed a bill on 27 August 2002 which wouild alow donation of foetuses for the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution but the bill needs approval by the conservative Guardian Council of Clerics to become law."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

UK Home Office: Divorce applies to permanent marriage only ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8935]

"5.140. Divorce applies to permanent marriage only. A husband wishing to divorce is required to obtain court permission to register the divorce if his wife does not agree to the divorce, but registration can only be delayed by the court, not prevented. A husband is not required to cite a reason for divorcing his wife. The conditions under which a woman may divorce depend on the year that she married, and the legislation that was in effect at the time of her marriage. On 28 September 2002 it was reported that the Guardian Council had returned, to the Majlis, for further consideration, a bill which would allow women greater rights to divorce their husbands. Divorced women, particularly in rural areas, may find themselves socially isolated and may face financial difficulty.

5.141. In 1986 the government issued a 12-point model contract for marriage and divorce which limited the privileges traditionally accorded to men under Islamic law. A divorced woman's rights to a share of the matrimonial properties and to increased alimony rights were recognised.

5.142. In the event of divorce, the father traditionally has legal custody of his children, unless a women can show her spouse to be an unfit father and applies under legislation passed in November 1998 to obtain custody. The civil code provides for custody of a male child to belong to the mother until the child is 2 years old, and of a female child until she is 5. Women who remarry are forced to give up custody of children from earlier marriages to their father.

5.143. The position of a divorced woman and further relationships after divorce can be fraught, with accusations of “immoral behaviour” and possible “adultery” brought to the Ershad.

5.144. The phenomonon of husband killing, punishable by death, is on the rise in the male dominated society, some point to abuse or philandering as factors."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

UK Home Office: Legality of abortions unclear under Iranian law ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8940]

"5.145. The position of whether it is legal to perform abortions is unclear in law, and many doctors are reluctant to proceed. This is irrespective of a fatwa by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei that abortion may be undertaken in cases of medical necessity, such as when thalassemia has been detected. Illegal abortion clinics have been prosecuted in recent years.

5.146. There are a number of women's organizations (semi-official as well as non-governmental) that have been created since the Revolution and in particular in the last few years such as the Cultural and Social Council for Women, the Women's Affairs Commission, Women's Affairs Bureau, Women's Sports Department, International Office for Women, Bureau for Promotion of Rural Women's activities, Rural Women's Cooperative, Women's Solidarity Societies, etc."

Document(s): Open document

10.2002 - Source: UK Border Agency (Home Office)

UK Home Office: Under the Islamic Penal Code those found guilty of adultery, witnessed by at least three others, are subject to execution by stoning ("Country Assessment - October 2002") [#9556],  [ID 8943]

"5.177. Under the Islamic Penal Code adopted by the Majlis in November 1995, those found guilty of adultery, witnessed by at least three others, are subject to execution by stoning. If a husband discovers his wife in an adulterous act he may kill her and her partner without legal consequence; a wife who discovers her husband with another woman does not have the same right. There have been several reports of execution for adultery in recent years.

5.178. One IRB report has qualified understanding of the law regarding adultery, stating that the standard of proof and punishment concerning adultery reflects the contradictory practices and decisions of the Iranian Islamic courts. In essence, rural small town courts are more likely to inflict harsher sentences and perverse judgements than courts in Tehran. Reporting in 1997, the source stated that there were no recent cases of stoning in Tehran. Stoning for adultery is held not to be a widespread phenomenon. However, in July 2001, Amnesty international has received a reported case of a stoning to death of a woman for adultery, the sentence undertaken in Evin prison, Tehran.

5.179. Temporary marriage (Sigheh in Farsi) is often used as a means of smoothing problems over; a woman's first temporary marriage requires her father's written permission.

5.180. The sentencing to death by stoning in January 1998 of a German businessman for having been found guilty of intercourse with a Muslim woman was classed as punishment for adultery because he was not Muslim. The accused countered the charges by claiming his conversion to Islam, A Mehrabad Court of Appeal upheld the death sentence in October 1998. By February 1999 the case had been returned to the Teheran justice department for further review. He was eventually acquitted for lack of evidence but fined 20 million rials and allowed to leave Iran in January 2000.

5.181. The case of Mohammad Ali Ghasemi from Teheran was also publicised in late 1995. He was convicted of three adulterous relationships with women and illegal drug use, resulting in a sentence of 170 lashes. Flogging is the standard punishment for single males involved in adultery: such cases do not carry the death penalty.

5.182. Enticing a person to commit adultery is an offence, with lashes as punishment left to the judge's discretion. Such punishment may be dictated to the married person even if they are the unwilling object of such attention."

Document(s): Open document

11.08.2002 -

Iran (NetIran): "We Wanted to Make Temporary Marriage Conform with the Law" ("11/08/2002 - Iran (NetIran): We Wanted to Make Temporary Marriage Conform with the Law") [ID 8936]

"How to confront the inauspicious phenomenon of street women has attracted the attention of people and responsible organs. But publication of the news about formation of `Houses of Chastity', instead of being subjected to constructive criticism, roused a great deal of commotion. It is surprising that this project was investigated by experts and representatives of organs concerned last year whereas it has led to negative reactions by the same organs during the last few days. Akbar Tajik Rad, who is an expert in charge of the project and who played an active role in its investigation committee, says this state of affairs is due to evil designs of those who propagated the project, which was under study until last week.

The following Interview with Tajik contains some new points about the details of this project and method of control of this phenomenon. In the opinion of experts any measures taken for it will be accompanied by some customary and religious sensitivities.

Q: Disclosure of the news about formation of Houses of Chastity has led to many reactions in the society, particularly by responsible organizations and organs. As the responsible expert and a person who was present in design and presentation of the expert work, what needs did you feel for compilation of the project?

A: In order to counter the social corruption and injured women referred to in this project as prostitution in the society it is necessary to pay attention to factors that produce it. Hazrat Ali says: God Almighty has put both wisdom and passion in the land of man, if man follows wisdom he will become the object of worship of angels and the successor of God, but if he is dominated by carnal desires, the same man will get lowlier than animals.

In view of the problems the youth are facing for permanent marriage they are forced to meet their needs by other means. Islam has envisaged temporary marriage to solve this problem. Of course various means are provided in other societies to satisfy this need and there is no prohibition in this regard. In my opinion the persons who, as street women, resort to this kind of evil act are in three categories. First, those who are financially restricted and do this to earn a living. Secondly those who simply want to satisfy their sexual desires. They usually do not have spouses due to divorce or of advanced age etc. Thirdly those who do not have either sexual or financial needs and who are comfortable from family or economic points of view. They propagate corruption in the society due to their sexual passions nymphomania. Unfortunately the three groups are treated similarly in our Islamic society. But the authorities are required to satisfy the financial needs of the first group. Various charitable organizations, the Welfare Organization, the Red Crescent Society, etc are duty bound to provide for this group. In my opinion this group is not offender legally, and Islam supplies definition for these problems. For example if a person commits theft 37 conditions must be fulfilled before his hands are cut off. Although Islam has absolutely forbidden eating many things such as corpse or carrion, when a man's life is in danger eating the same corpse becomes permissible."

Document(s): 11/08/2002 - Iran (NetIran): We Wanted to Make Temporary Marriage Conform with the Law

11.06.2002 -

Entekhab (NetIran): Prostitution in Iran (An Interview with Professor Mohammad Hossein Farjad) ("11/06/2002 - Entekhab (NetIran): Prostitution in Iran (An Interview with Professor Mohammad Hossein Farjad)") [ID 8941]

"Prostitution, also known as street harlotry, has peaked in Iran over the past years to the extent that even the state radio and television are extensively talking about this sinister phenomenon. Although conflicting, statistics released about the prostitutes are stunning. Mohammad Hussein Farjad, university professor with specialty in social traumas, talks about prostitution and its dimensions in Iran."

Document(s): 11/06/2002 - Entekhab (NetIran): Prostitution in Iran (An Interview with Professor Mohammad Hossein Farjad)

30.05.2002 - Source: New York Times

New York Times: ("Noted Dancer Jailed During Visit to Tehran") [#7367],  [ID 8945]

Document(s): Open document
00817irn.htm

09.05.2002 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International-Urgent Action: ("Iran - UA 136/02") [#6883],  [ID 8946]

Document(s): Open document

28.01.2002 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Special Rapporteur remains concerned about violence against women in Iran; death sentences on women ("Integration of the human rights of women and the gender perspective E/CN.4/2002/83/Add.1") [#9849],  [ID 8948]

"48. On 23 January 2001, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special
Representative on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Special
Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and the Special Rapporteur on
torture, on behalf of Maryam Ayoubi, who had reportedly been sentenced to death by stoning
for the murder of her husband. Her accomplice, Hossein Esna ‘Asharyhas, had reportedly also
been sentenced to death.
49. On 8 August 2001, the Special Rapporteur sent a joint urgent appeal with the Special
Representative on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of
Soraya Dalaian, and concerning the use of sexual torture in Evin Prison, Tehran. According
to information received, Soraya Dalaian was repeatedly raped by two men over a period
of 24 hours during her stay in Evin Prison in 1997. It is reported that it is not an isolated case
and that women prisoners are systematically subject to rape by judges and high-ranking
officials in prison. It is alleged that there are suites available in the prison for that specific
purpose. According to press reports of 16 April 2001, during the trial of Esmail Eftekhari Nasr,
the commander of the local urban Revolutionary Guards centre in Tehran’s 12th district, it was
alleged that he and his subordinates had kidnapped a number of young girls and after raping
and murdering them, had dumped their bodies in different parts of Tehran. Mr. Eftekhari
was subsequently sentenced to five years in jail, while ordinary citizens would reportedly
receive much harsher sentences. The Rapporteurs also expressed their distress over the
execution by stoning of Maryam Ayoubi on 11 July 2001. They urged the Government to
remove article 82 (b) concerning stoning from the Islamic Code and to actively undertake a
policy of suppressing recourse to stoning throughout the country.
50. By letter dated 9 November 2001 the Government responded regarding the case
of Sorayya Dalaiean. It stated that she was arrested and sentenced to imprisonment
on 10 November 1997 and was released on 8 January 1998. She was again sentenced to
imprisonment on 28 April 1998 and released on 3 May 1998. She was further sentenced to
imprisonment on 2 August 1998 and released on 23 September 1998. The Government stated
that there were no political overtones to her conviction. The Government did not respond to the
allegations of the use of sexual torture in Evin Prison, Tehran."

Document(s): Open document
02396.pdf

26.01.2002 -

Entekhab (NetIran): 80% of Divorce Requests Are Made by Women ("26/01/2002 - Entekhab (NetIran): 80% of Divorce Requests Are Made by Women") [ID 8937]

"Hassan Hamidian, the director of the Family Judicial Complex and the former assistant director of justice department of Tehran, whose wife is also currently engaged as his deputy in the same post, says that the rate of divorce has gone up by 15%. The main factors that have contributed to this state of affairs are, in alia, the spouse's addiction, accounting for 67% of cases, financial burden of divorce for men, insufficient information of the couple, "distress and constriction " (Osr va Haraj). At present 60 judges in 30 branches, affiliated to the Family Judicial Complex, investigate family matters which amount to 10,000 cases per month. Among other difficulties related to family rights in Iran one can mention: absence of a female consultant judge, rejection of "distress and constriction" by the Guardian Council, option of divorce being held by men exclusively according to Article 22 of the Civil Code without any need for adducing proof, etc."

Document(s): 26/01/2002 - Entekhab (NetIran): 80% of Divorce Requests Are Made by Women

16.01.2002 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

Little evident progress in the human rights situation of women ("Report on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, prepared by the Special Representative of the Commission on Human Rights, Mr. Maurice Danby Copithorne, pursuant to Commission resolution 2001/17 (E/CN.4/2002/42)") [#5732],  [ID 8939]

"14. Over the years, the Special Representative has frequently expressed his concern over the
status of women in Iran. He has called upon the Government to tackle both the discriminatory
norms in Iranian law and the patriarchal attitudes in society, the latter expressed perhaps most
obviously in violence against women and in the difficulty faced by women in entering the work
force in positions commensurate with their training. There has been little evident progress in
either of these areas in the last six years.
15. With regard to the former, the social and political pressure for change in the law has been
steadily growing. Women themselves have become more outspoken, as have reformists among
the clerics, including at least one Grand Ayatollah. More broadly, the populace has spoken
through those it has elected to the Majilis. Resistance seems to rest largely with a relatively
small group of non-elected, male, political elites. In the year under review, this group has,
among other things, refused to approve any of the female candidates nominated to run in the
presidential election and refused to approve draft legislation to raise the minimum age of
marriage, notably that of girls, which remains at nine years of age, in clear violation of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Special Representative has characterized the
situation with regard to the marriage of girl children as a black spot on the reputation of the
Islamic Republic and has called upon all branches of the Government to work together to bring
new legislation into effect as quickly as possible (see A/56/278 of 10 August 2001, para. 19).
16. In July, a female member of the Majilis called for a major overhaul of legislation to give
women the same rights as men. According to the press, she noted “A mother whose child needs
an emergency operation in a hospital does not have the right to authorize it” even in the case of
the father’s absence or death. She also asked “why give the custody of a child to an 80-year-old
grandfather and not to the young mother who has lost her husband?” Why indeed?
17. With regard to the physical and verbal abuse of women, particularly in the family setting,
the Special Representative has frequently called on the Government to take firmer action to
address what is generally regarded as a widespread problem. In the Special Representative’s
opinion it is not enough for the Government simply to condemn the situation or to encourage
women’s NGOs to tackle it, or to write it off as a cultural issue that only time will cure. The
establishment of crisis hot lines may help some of the women concerned but does nothing to cure
the problem. The objective must be to make Iranian society as a whole intolerant of such
conduct (see A/56/278, para. 18).
18. Another area in need of attention is the empowerment of women, specifically including
them in senior management and professional positions in government and in the private sector.
In the year under review, the touchstone issue was perhaps the widely expected appointment of
women to the second Khatami Government. The 12 women members of the Majilis prepared
their own list of three women candidates for the cabinet. This was not to happen and, according
to one press report, the President’s plan to appoint women as education minister and as
cooperatives minister was overruled by higher authority.
19. During the period under review, there were two events that could clearly be seen as
efforts to constrain women who were advocating change. One was the arrest of a prominent
female film maker, Tahmineh Milani, some of whose films deal with male chauvinism in the
Iranian family, and who has been quoted in the press as declaring that feminism was a way of
“salvation for women who are deprived of equal rights” (see also para. 12). The other case
was the imposition of a 22-month prison sentence on a female member of the Majilis,
Fatemeh Haqqiqatju. According to the press, she was found guilty of having, in a statement
on the floor of the Majilis, misinterpreted the words of the founder of the republic, “propagated”
against the establishment, and insulted the Guardian Council and the head of the Tehran
Revolutionary Court.
20. The Special Representative is confident that pressure for change in the treatment of
women from within the country will only increase and that for this reason alone the Government
would be wise to act now."

Document(s): sr-irn-0102.pdf
Open document

16.01.2002 - Source: Council of the European Union

Council of the European Union: ("Note from the General Secretariat to CIREA: Danish fact-finding mission to Iran Rf. 5262/02") [#8107],  [ID 8949]

Document(s): Open document

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: Increasing numbers of women seeking divorces; requirements ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8938]

"Despite the provisions in the Civil Code, whereby a man can divorce his wife whenever
he wishes, in practice a man cannot divorce his wife without referring to the Special
Family Court in order to register the divorce with divorce registry offices that would
require the certificate of irreconcilable differences, issued by the Court or a Court order,
denoting that the registry is allowed to carry out the registration (immoral conduct, etc.).
It would appear that the divorce rate has increased in the last few years and that the
Family Courts are confronted with an increasing number of women seeking divorces.
Probably the most publicized and known aspect of women’s life in Iran is the imposition
of hejab or Islamic dress code. In Iran all women (Iranian, foreign, Muslim or non-
Muslim) have to comply with the rules of hejab in all public places. The women’s hair
must be fully covered and their faces free of make-up. In addition to a scarf women
must wear a roupoush or manto which is a large, formless overcoat. Contraventions of
the dress code are punishable by either a verbal reprimand (in hotels, restaurants, at
the airport) or by a fine, or 74 strokes of the lash, or a prison term of 10 days to two
months. There are periods of apparent relaxation of the dress code by the authorities.
However, at intervals and irregularly there are raids in public places or road blocks by
police units monitoring moral conduct, Revolutionary Guards and Basiji intent on
arresting and taking in for questioning women who are considered not to be properly
covered. It has to be added that in parts of big cities, such as Tehran and Isfahan, the
dress code is slightly relaxed compared to the rest of Iran. In some tribal areas the
dress code is not as strictly enforced and traditional dresses can be seen instead of the
overcoat and scarf. In some Christian villages women do not cover their hair.
Interestingly, two years ago, there was a German decision to forcibly veil women for
photographs for documents that were to be sent back to the authorities in Iran.
It should be noted that there is still a large group of women who consider the imposition
of hejab as humiliating, discriminatory and repressive. While assessing refugee claims
of women who declare that they cannot tolerate the hejab, one should try to assess the
level of tolerance of the individual case and take into account the subjective element.
For one woman compliance with hejab might not be more than a nuisance but
acceptable under the circumstances while for other women it might be experienced as
an intolerable, humiliating, degrading and unacceptable imposition. This could be
accompanied by examples of specific harassment in the individual case. If a case is
recognized, the grounds for recognition would be on the basis of fear of persecution
owing to membership of a particular social group."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: Compared to several other countries in the Middle East region, Iranian women have a more prominent role in society ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8942]

"Iranian women were very much involved in the 1979 Revolution. Women were told to
take to the streets and participate in the overthrow of the Shah and in the establishment
of an Islamic State. While initially women in the Revolution were heralded as heroic
militants, gradually the clerical elite has come to describe the ideal woman as an
obedient wife and mother.
Compared to several other countries in the region (Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, parts of
Pakistan) women in Iran have a more prominent role in society and have more freedom
to work, study, travel, drive, etc. It should be noted that following the Revolution the
percentage of women attending schools has dramatically increased compared to the
times of the Shah. For instance, there are more women at Iranian universities than men. Moreover, there are women serving terms in Parliament and working as teachers,
lawyers, judges and in positions of responsibility in public administration.
There are a number of women’s organizations (semi-official as well as nongovernmental)
that have been created since the Revolution and in particular in the last
few years such as the Cultural and Social Council for Women, the Women’s Affairs
Commission, Women’s Affairs Bureau, Women’s Sports Department, International
Office for Women, Bureau for Promotion of Rural Women’s activities, Rural Women’s
Cooperative, Women’s Solidarity Societies, etc.22
From a legal point of view there is definitely a marked difference between men and
women. There are many regulations in which treatment of men and women is not the
same. Examples are in the field of blood money or compensation for death of a family
member, whereby the life of a woman in financial terms is valued less that that of a
man, and the witness system, whereby one man equals two women. In addition,
women cannot work or obtain a passport without the husband’s permission, cannot
marry without the father’s written consent, automatically lose custody of their children at
the time of divorce or death of the husband.
With regard to passports, the requirements are usually checked when a person wanting
to leave applies for a passport. If the criteria, one of them being the husband’s
permission, are not fulfilled the passport will not be issued. Once you are at the airport
you should not have a problem. There does not seem to exist a special written
permission by the husband for a woman to leave the country."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

ACCORD: Sentences for adultery ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8944]

"The Penal Code accords the death penalty, stoning or flogging to the adulterer and sets
out a number of different scenarios to determine which punishment shall apply in each
case, for example, if a non-Muslim man commits adultery with a Muslim women he is
subject to the death penalty (see the Hofer case); if a man or woman who is married
permanently commits adultery, the penalty is stoning; if the alleged adulterer or
adulteress is unmarried, the punishment is 100 lashes. Art. 82, which lists the cases in
which adultery carries the death penalty, stipulates that a rapist should receive the
death penalty. In an interview with the UN Special Representative, Iran’s Minister of
Justice, Hojatoleslam Ismaeil Shushtari (1992), reportedly stated that certain penalties
such as the stoning of adulterers could not be abrogated by the Government since they
had originally been established under Islamic Law. In case false testimony has led to
accusation of adultery and the adultery is not proved, the false claimant can be
prosecuted and accorded 80 lashes. Cases of adultery are dealt with by the regular
courts and not by the Revolutionary Courts.
There have been reported instances of stoning in the past few years. However, the last
report of the UN Special Representative for Iran (dated 8 September 2000) indicates
that stoning appears finally to be declining in Iran. In March 2000, the press quoted the
Ministry of Justice spokesperson as stating that stoning may not be in the country's
interest, and that the Head of the Judiciary believes that it should avoid acts which could
insult and taint the country's image."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

00.11.2001 – ACCORD: Domestic violence ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8950]

"We are confronted with a number of claims of women stating to have been the victims of domestic violence and that there would be no recourse or protection. In principle, a woman victim of domestic violence can avail herself of the protection provided by legal provisions. However, such victims are sometimes so terrorized that they prefer to remain silent and take no action against their husbands. Sometimes they also refrain
from taking measures against the husband because initiating such actions could only provide them with effective protection if they opt to obtain a divorce. They may be reluctant to get a divorce or they may fear losing their children, since the father or paternal grandfather has the right of guardianship of children in case of a divorce.

In conformity with Art. 1115 of the Civil Code, if living in the same house with the husband involves the risk of bodily injury or financial damage, or jeopardizes the dignity of the wife, she can choose a separate dwelling and if the alleged risk is proven the Court will not order her to return to the house of the husband. When a wife is a victim of domestic violence, she can file a complaint against the husband for battery, and based on the afore-mentioned provisions, she can leave the house. A wife can also apply for a divorce on the grounds of domestic violence based on para 4 of Art. 8 of the Law on Family Protection and the Court will issue a certificate of irreconcilable differences (based on which the divorce will be registered by a notary) if it is proven that continuation of conjugal life is unbearable for the wife. In order to prove domestic violence a women can refer to a state hospital and obtain a report that should be submitted to a family court."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

11.2001 - Source: Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation

00.11.2001 – ACCORD: Custody of children ("7th European Country of Origin Information Seminar Berlin, 11 - 12 June 2001: Final Report - Iran") [#7661],  [ID 8951]

"UNHCR is faced with many cases that invoke the loss of custody to the family of the husband or to the husband following death of the husband or divorce. Normally upon divorce or death of the father custody goes to the mother. Art. 1169 of the Civil Code specifies that "the mother shall have a preferential right to the custody of her child in the first two years of the child’s life, after which the father shall have the custody unless the
child is a girl in which case she will remain under the mother’s custody until she reaches the age of 7."

A landmark case in 1998 was the case of Aryan Golshani, an 8-year-old boy who died due to severe beatings and malnutrition at the hands of his stepmother. Following divorce, despite the fact that the mother had been given custody of the then 6-year-old child she did not succeed in getting the child as the father opposed the mother’s claim to custody. Following the very publicized death of the child, an emotional public debate enfolded with regard to custody laws in the country.

In 1998, the Majles has agreed to add five paragraphs to this article in which exceptions to the automatic custody right of the father are enumerated such as addiction, sickness and violence. However, a leading women’s rights lawyer described this as propaganda and said that in her opinion a woman still had a very small chance of obtaining custody of minor children as the main article granting preferential custody to the father was still valid.

Under normal circumstances one should note that a distinction is made between custody and guardianship. For example, while custody of very young children is with the mother, guardianship remains with the father and therefore mothers cannot travel outside of Iran without the permission of the father of the child even if the child is technically in custody of the mother.

There are no specific provisions relating to the departure of a mother with minor children from the country without the consent of the father. Based on the Law on Passports, authorization in writing of the Guardian (according to the Civil Code the father or paternal grandfather), is necessary for issuance of a passport for a minor or inclusion of a minor’s name in a relative’s passport. Therefore if a woman has managed to obtain travel documents for her minor children, she has probably resorted to an illegal act based on which she can be sentenced upon return. For example she may have forged her husband’s authorization and submitted it to the Passport Bureau and could
therefore be sentenced to imprisonment from two months to up to two years."

Document(s): cois2001-irn.pdf

10.08.2001 - Source: UN General Assembly

No change in foundational, legalized discrimination faced by women ("Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic in Iran A/ 56/278") [#4950],  [ID 8953]

"14. The condition of women in the Islamic Republic has remained much the same for some years: steady improvements in some respects such as education but
no change in the foundational, legalized discrimination faced by women almost across the board. Perhaps the most graphic recent portrayal of this situation is the Iranian film, "The Circle", with its strong overtones of the Islamic Republic as a prison for women.
15. At the time the present report was being prepared, a spirited debate was under way as to the number of women who should be included in the new cabinet of
the President. In late June, a senior Majilis figure declared that it was not dignified for women to be put on display in government. A female member of the
Majilis quickly responded, "Our men should guard against the sickness of immaturity." The 12 women members of the Majilis prepared their own list of three women candidates for the cabinet.
16. The recent presidential election and the action of the Guardian Council in not approving any of the two dozen female candidates has focused attention on the eligibility of women to hold public office.
17. Another side of women's plight is what has become known as the "feminine face of poverty". It was reported that at a meeting to mark 15 May, International Day of the Family, a number of officials described the situation in graphic terms. There are now some 1 million single-mother families in the Islamic Republic. Twenty-nine per cent of the families below the poverty line are single-mother families. Seventy per cent of the single mothers in rural areas are illiterate. In 37 per cent of single-mother families, only one person
is employed. The General Director of the Office to Combat Poverty reportedly stated that, while the law requires the minimum wage to be paid to all families
headed by women, it is paid at only 50 per cent of the rate because of budget shortfalls.
18. The issue of the physical abuse of women within the family remains in the spotlight. The press reports that to get around the reluctance of the police to
become involved in such cases, "hotlines" are being established for women to seek urgent help. More fundamentally, however, Iranian women continue to
press the point that the issue is rooted in the cultural approach of men towards women. A member of the Women's Participation Centre in Tehran was quoted
recently as saying that women had become more frequently the victims of beatings, rape, abortions, financial and mental pressures, and verbal abuse from
their husbands, brothers and even children. The Special Representative notes that the alleviation of patriarchal attitudes is also a key to opening up more and better job opportunities for women. The Special Representative has been made aware of the many activities and programmes for promoting women's
rights, but he nevertheless urges the Government to take a leadership role in tackling the cultural issue. It needs to have a very clear focus and to allocate
sufficient human and monetary resources to undertake major educational programmes in the schools, on television and through other public channels. The
longer the Government delays taking serious action, the more women will suffer, and probably needlessly so. It is an issue that the Government, in good
conscience, must address urgently.
19. Finally, there is the long outstanding benchmark issue of the minimum age of marriage, particularly that for girls, which is nine years. The Special
Representative has discussed this issue in earlier reports (A/55/363, para. 31; E/CN.4/2001/39, para. 24). The Special Representative notes the recent action of
the Guardian Council of rejecting the Majilis bill that would have addressed this black spot on the reputationof the Islamic Republic. If argument is still needed, the Special Representative would draw attention to the
article on early childhood marriage in the UNICEF Innocenti Digest No. 7 (March 2001), which declares that pregnancy-related deaths are the leading cause of
mortality of girls aged 15-19 worldwide. The Special Representative once again appeals to all branches of the Government to work together to bring new
legislation into effect as quickly as possible as a mark of respect for the girl-children of their country. (In February, a girl's shelter in Karaj, the Jasmine Centre, was closed down after an investigation had
reportedly revealed that it had become involved in the trafficking of girls. The press focused on the high-level connections of the operators of the Centre. A judge of the Revolutionary Court was subsequently charged in the affair.)"

Document(s): 02192iran.pdf
Open document

08.2001 - Moaali, Behjat

Behjat Moaali: ("Stellungnahme v. August 2001 für RA Torsten Döhring (German)") [#4296],  [ID 8954]

Document(s): Open document

29.07.2001 - Source: BBC News

BBC: ("New floggings in Iran") [#3147],  [ID 8956]

Document(s): 00486ira.htm
Open document

11.07.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International: ("Stonings should stop") [#2533],  [ID 8957]

Document(s): Open document

11.07.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International: ("Iran - UA 05/01") [#2538],  [ID 8958]

Document(s): Open document

22.05.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International: ("Stoned to death for porno movie") [#2534],  [ID 8959]

Document(s): Open document

01.10.2000 - Source: Danish Immigration Service

Danish Immigration Service: Women and dress code ("Report on fact-finding mission to Iran; 9 - 17 September 2000") [#9593],  [ID 8933]

"According to a source connected with the Iranian judicial system, the formerly strict views on
women's clothing no longer exist. The source added that illegitimate meetings between women and
men may lead to sanctions. A source connected with a Western news agency confirmed that
women's clothing requirements are more liberal now than they used to be. According to that
source, women definitely enjoy more freedom now than they did a few years ago. In that
connection, the source pointed out that women are often seen wearing make-up, especially in
student circles, and women and men can talk quite freely in such circles.
The delegation itself saw many women wearing make-up and headscarves which did not completely
cover their hair. It was noted that such "freedom" is even greater in certain sections of society and
in specific city districts. The delegation itself saw shops openly displaying and selling all types of
make-up. According to a Western embassy, make-up is not forbidden for use in the home."

Document(s): Open document