Iran intensifies electronic surveillance on women to enforce hijab laws
- The Iranian government has increased electronic surveillance targeting women for hijab violations.
- The UN report indicates a rise in public reporting through the Nazer app linked to stricter enforcement measures.
- These developments underscore systemic discrimination and a crackdown on dissent amidst ongoing civil unrest.
Iran has ramped up its reliance on electronic surveillance as a means to enforce its mandatory hijab laws, particularly since the protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. In the wake of Amini's death, which was linked to her arrest by morality police for allegedly improper hijab wear, widespread protests erupted across the country, emphasizing demands for women's rights and government accountability. The United Nations released a report detailing how the Iranian government is utilizing advanced technology, including aerial drones and facial recognition software, to identify and punish women who do not adhere to hijab laws. The report emphasizes that the enforcement tactics have escalated as hard-liners in Iran call for stricter penalties against those who protest these laws. Surveillance cameras and drones are deployed in public spaces, while a mobile application, named 'Nazer,' allows citizens to report violations. This app enables users to submit details such as location and vehicle information of women breaching hijab requirements, leading to fines and legal consequences. In some cases, recipients of notifications related to violations have experienced violent scrutiny from law enforcement. Under the so-called Noor Plan, which began anew in April 2024, heightened enforcement measures led to the arrest of at least 618 women. Concurrently, the report highlighted the continuation of a broader crackdown on dissent, with a significant surge in executions—938 recorded in the previous year, triple the figures from 2021. Many of those executed were convicted for drug offenses, yet there appears to be an intersection between these actions and repression against social unrest. As these developments unfold amidst Iran's economic crisis due to U.S. sanctions, the Iranian regime's response to protests highlights a concerted effort to entrench its authority on social norms while suppressing dissent. The continued enforcement of hijab laws combined with the use of state-sanctioned surveillance reflects a significant moment in Iran's ongoing struggle between demands for reform and the state’s efforts to maintain control over individual freedoms.