In a world where technology often promises freedom and connection, Iran’s recent use of advanced tech to enforce its strict hijab laws might feel like a step backward. A United Nations report has shed light on how Iran is deploying drones and facial recognition systems to ensure compliance with these laws, as part of a larger strategy that even includes a citizen-reporting app.
This approach was outlined by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, which has been digging into these practices. The report doesn’t hold back, highlighting severe human rights violations that erupted after the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. She was just 22 when she was detained for supposedly breaking hijab laws in 2022, and her death ignited protests across the nation, becoming one of the largest movements since the fall of the Shah.
The protests, rallying under the powerful slogan ‘Woman, Life, Freedom,’ quickly grew into a broader critique of the government’s tight grip, particularly on women’s rights. Human rights organizations report that these demonstrations led to at least 500 deaths and nearly 20,000 arrests, though official state media suggests lower numbers.
Sara Hossain, who chairs the Fact-Finding Mission, pointed out that Iranian authorities committed serious human rights abuses in quelling the 2022 protests. Some of these acts, she noted, could even be considered crimes against humanity.
Since April 2024, the crackdown has intensified with the Noor Plan, targeting women who defy hijab mandates. This initiative has seen women activists facing harsh penalties, including imprisonment and, in some cases, even the death penalty for their peaceful protests.
Hossain also highlighted how ethnic and religious minorities were specifically targeted during these protests, with some of the worst abuses happening in areas dominated by these groups.
The Iranian government’s strategy seems to be taking a page from China’s surveillance playbook, using similar technologies to maintain control. This includes AI, facial recognition, and digital policing. Tehran’s growing ties with Beijing suggest that Chinese surveillance tools might be playing a part in this domestic repression.
Shaheen Sardar Ali from the Independent Mission explained how online surveillance has become a crucial tool for state repression, mentioning instances like the shutdown of Instagram accounts and the confiscation of SIM cards from human rights defenders.
The findings from the Mission, which include chilling testimonies of psychological torture and executions, are set to be presented to member states at the Human Rights Council next Tuesday. The Mission, established in November 2022, aims to investigate these alleged human rights violations, focusing particularly on women and children.
Adding to the situation, Iran’s parliament recently passed a ‘Hijab and chastity bill’ that mandates the hijab for women and girls as young as 12, both in public and online. This move further tightens the regime’s control over personal freedoms.
