Iran plans to open a ‘hijab removal treatment clinic’ to target women defying mandatory hijab laws. The initiative has sparked outrage from Iranian women and human rights groups, highlighting concerns over repression and treatment methods directed at dissenters. Prominent figures critique the clinic as oppressive rather than supportive, amplifying calls for women’s rights amidst a backdrop of increased state violence and control.
In a shocking announcement, Iranian authorities declared plans to establish a so-called “hijab removal treatment clinic” aimed at women who defy the country’s strict hijab regulations. Mehri Talebi Darestani, head of the Women and Family Department in Tehran, proposed that this facility will offer ‘scientific and psychological treatment for hijab removal.’ This declaration has ignited outrage among Iranian women and international human rights advocates, highlighting the severe discontent surrounding women’s rights in the country. The outrage crescendoed as prominent voices like journalist Sima Sabet condemned the initiative as ‘shameful,’ warning that such clinics evoke a chilling vision of societal control and punishment for non-conformity. Similarly, human rights lawyer Hossein Raeesi expressed disbelief that such measures stem from a department overseen by Iran’s supreme leader, calling its ideology inconsistent with both Islamic and Iranian laws. The announcement reverberated through feminist circles, with many women expressing their fears that these clinics would deepen oppression rather than provide care. A young Iranian woman argued passionately, “It won’t be a clinic, it will be a prison.” Her concerns resonate amid alarming reports of severe crackdowns on those deemed to breach hijab laws, including women activists being targeted for harassment and arrests. In light of rising tensions, the recent case of a university student, who was transferred to a psychiatric hospital following a protest against abuse by security guards over hijab violations, underscores the oppressive environment. Human rights organizations have reported evidence of torture and forced medication being used against protesters accused of mental instability, raising alarms about their treatment in state facilities. Additionally, the situation has escalated with reports from the Center for Human Rights in Iran concerning Roshanak Molaei Alishah, a young woman who remains missing after confronting street harassment over her hijab. As this crackdown intensifies, the call for women’s rights continues to echo in the hearts of many, challenging the regime that has sought to silence them. The proposed clinic, coupled with alarming reports of violence, could only serve to galvanize resistance among Iranian women, who stand firm in their fight for freedom against oppressive norms.
The Iranian government’s strict enforcement of hijab laws has been a contentious issue, sparking widespread protests and outrage. Women in Iran face severe repercussions, including arrest, for defying these laws. Advocacy groups have highlighted a disturbing trend where the state uses governmental and institutional measures to suppress dissent, particularly against women pushing for their rights. This tension has intensified with the regime’s recent moves to establish a clinic aimed at ‘curing’ non-compliance with these mandatory dress codes, leading to fears of institutionalized repressions.
The Iranian government’s plan to open a ‘hijab removal treatment clinic’ for non-compliant women reflects a disturbing trend of crackdowns on personal freedoms and women’s rights. This initiative has incited widespread outrage from human rights advocates and Iranian women alike, who view it as a chilling affront to their autonomy. As reports of violence and oppression continue to surface, the resolve of women fighting for their rights in Iran only grows stronger, emphasizing the urgent need for systemic change.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
