[Disclaimer] This article is reconstructed based on information from external sources. Please verify the original source before referring to this content.
Neeews Summary
The following content was published online. A translated summary is presented below. See the source for details.
The Iranian government is using advanced surveillance technologies, including drones, facial recognition software, and a citizen-reporting app, to enforce its mandatory hijab laws. The Nazer app allows the police and selected members of the public to report alleged hijab violations by women in vehicles, with the app then alerting the police and sending a warning message to the vehicle owner. Additionally, Iranian authorities are using drones to monitor hijab compliance in public areas, and new facial recognition software has been installed at the entrance of Tehran’s Amirkabir University to enforce the mandatory hijab laws.
This crackdown on women’s rights and the use of these digital authoritarian tactics represent a significant escalation in the Iranian government’s efforts to control women’s autonomy and freedom of choice. The report on these developments is set to be presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council, highlighting the international concern over Iran’s disregard for human rights.
Source: VOA Middle East
Our Commentary
Background and Context
Iran’s mandatory hijab laws, which require women to cover their hair in public, have been a contentious and controversial issue for decades. The government has long used various methods, including police enforcement and public campaigns, to ensure compliance with these laws. However, the recent reports of Iran’s use of advanced technology, such as drones, facial recognition, and a citizen-reporting app, to monitor and enforce these laws represent a significant escalation in the government’s efforts to control women’s dress and behavior.
Expert Analysis
According to human rights experts, the Iranian government’s use of these advanced technologies to enforce the mandatory hijab laws is a clear violation of women’s rights and a concerning trend towards increased digital authoritarianism. “The use of drones, facial recognition, and citizen-reporting apps to monitor and punish women for their clothing choices is a gross infringement on their basic human rights,” said Raha Bahreini, Amnesty International’s Iran researcher. “This is a blatant attempt by the government to exert control over women’s bodies and lives, and it must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”
Additional Data and Fact Reinforcement
The Nazer app enables users to upload the license plate, location, and time of an alleged hijab violation, which then alerts the police. The app also sends a real-time text message to the registered owner of the vehicle, warning them that their vehicle will be impounded for ignoring the hijab laws. Furthermore, the report states that Iranian authorities are using drones in Tehran and the southern part of the country to monitor hijab compliance in public areas, and new facial recognition software has been installed at the entrance of Tehran’s Amirkabir University to enforce the mandatory hijab laws.
Related News
The reports of Iran’s use of advanced technology to enforce the mandatory hijab laws come at a time of ongoing protests and civil unrest in the country. In September 2022, the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was arrested by the morality police for allegedly violating the hijab laws, sparked nationwide protests against the government’s oppressive policies. The protests, led by women, have been met with a brutal crackdown by the authorities, who have used violence, mass arrests, and internet shutdowns to suppress the dissent.
Summary
The Iranian government’s use of drones, facial recognition, and a citizen-reporting app to enforce its mandatory hijab laws represents a concerning escalation in the country’s efforts to control women’s autonomy and freedom of choice. This digital authoritarianism is a clear violation of human rights and a significant setback in the ongoing struggle for gender equality in Iran. As the protests against the government’s oppressive policies continue, the international community must condemn these actions and hold the Iranian authorities accountable for their blatant disregard for the rights of women. The future outlook remains uncertain, but the resolve and determination of the Iranian people to fight for their fundamental freedoms provides hope for a more just and equitable society.
