The Iranian government's recent announcement of plans to open a "hijab removal treatment clinic" has sparked widespread condemnation, particularly from women's rights groups and international activists. The clinic is intended to offer what the authorities describe as "scientific and psychological treatment" for women who refuse to comply with Iran's mandatory hijab law.
This law, which requires women to cover their heads in public, has long been a point of contention and resistance among many women in the country. The announcement was made by Mehri Talebi Darestani, the head of the Women and Family Department in Tehran, who confirmed that the clinic would soon be opened.
According to Darestani, the clinic will provide women with treatment to encourage them to adhere to the hijab law. This move has been widely criticised, with many questioning its implications for women's freedom and autonomy.
Several human rights organisations and Iranian women have expressed outrage at the concept of the clinic, calling it a violation of personal rights. UK-based Iranian journalist Sima Sabet, who was herself a target of an Iranian assassination attempt last year, labelled the initiative as "shameful."
She criticised the clinic idea as a means of isolating women who do not conform to the state's ideology. Sabet’s sentiments were echoed by Hossein Raeesi, an Iranian human rights lawyer, who emphasised that the clinic was neither in line with Islamic principles nor Iranian law.
He also pointed out that such a move, coming from the Women and Family Department of Tehran, was particularly concerning given its ties to the authority of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The announcement has further fueled the anger of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest groups, which have been vocal in their opposition to the hijab law. The protest movements, including student activists, have shown increasing fear and defiance in response to the government's growing crackdown on women’s rights.
An Iranian woman, who spoke anonymously to the media, described the clinic as a potential "prison" for women. She pointed out that while the country faces numerous pressing issues, such as power shortages, the state's obsession with enforcing the hijab law remains a priority.
In addition to the clinic, reports of escalating violence against women for defying the hijab laws have emerged. One such report involved a university student in Tehran, who, after being assaulted by campus security over her refusal to comply with the hijab regulations, stripped down to her underwear in protest.
This act of defiance led to her being sent to a psychiatric hospital, further highlighting the severe measures authorities are willing to take. Amnesty International and other human rights organizations have voiced their concern over the treatment of protesters and dissidents, alleging that those deemed mentally unstable are subjected to forced medication, torture, and abuse within state psychiatric facilities.
The situation for women in Iran has worsened in recent weeks, with a significant rise in arrests, forced disappearances, and the closure of businesses related to hijab violations.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran recently highlighted the case of Roshanak Molaei Alishah, a 25-year-old woman who was reportedly arrested after confronting a man who had harassed her about her hijab. Her whereabouts remain unknown, and human rights groups are calling for her immediate release.
The establishment of the "hijab removal treatment clinic" has drawn international attention to the ongoing struggle for women's rights in Iran. Many fear that this move could be a step toward further repression, with the government imposing even stricter control over women’s dress and behaviour.
The clinic is seen not only as an attempt to force women into compliance with the hijab law but also as a broader effort to stifle dissent and opposition to the government's policies.
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