Digital Surveillance and Public Reporting
Iranian authorities are expanding their use of technology to suppress dissent, particularly among women who defy the country’s strict dress codes.
According to a report from the United Nations, cited by Digi24, security forces rely on drones, facial recognition software, and mobile applications to track and penalize women not wearing the hijab.
The report details how authorities encourage citizens to report violations using specialized phone apps. One such app, "Nazer," allows users to submit details on women not covering themselves in taxis, ambulances, or other public transport.
Security cameras on main roads and at Tehran’s Amirkabir University have also been fitted with facial recognition software to identify women not complying with dress codes.
Severe Punishments and Systematic Oppression
Women who protest or refuse to wear the hijab face severe consequences, including arrest, beatings, and even sexual violence while in custody.
The UN investigation, which involved interviews with nearly 300 victims and witnesses, found that Iran’s judicial system lacks independence, systematically intimidates families of victims, and dismisses cases of abuse.
The report cites multiple instances of extrajudicial executions, including the deaths of three children and three adult protesters. In one documented case, a detained woman was subjected to severe beatings, two mock executions, and gang rape.
Ongoing Crackdown Since Mahsa Amini’s Death
The report follows continued unrest in Iran since the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who died in police custody after being detained for improper hijab wear.
Witnesses claim she was brutally beaten, while Iranian authorities insist she died of sudden heart failure. Her death sparked mass protests that continue despite the threat of imprisonment and violent crackdowns.
The UN report will be formally presented to the Human Rights Council on March 18, underscoring the growing international concern over Iran’s use of technology to enforce oppressive laws.
