Amnesty International has called on Iran to release a young woman who stripped to her underwear in what was perceived on social media as an extreme protest against the country’s strict Islamic dress code.
A video that circulated on social media over the weekend showed security guards at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran detaining the woman.
“Pending her release, authorities must protect her from torture and other ill-treatment, and ensure access to family and lawyer. Allegations of beatings and sexual violence against her during arrest need independent and impartial investigations. Those responsible must held to account,” it said.
But on Nov. 5, Iranian government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said, “Instead of viewing this issue under a security lens, we are rather looking at it with a social lens and seek to solve the problems of this student as a troubled individual.”
She said the student had been transferred from a police station to a treatment center.
Mohajerani added: “It is yet too soon to speak of this student’s return to university. According to a video published by her husband, she needs treatment and that needs to be completed before taking the next steps.”
In additional posts, Mahjob said: “In the police station and with the examination of the medical teams, it was found that she was under severe mental pressure and had a mental disorder. It should be mentioned that in addition to separating from her husband, she was also the mother of two children.
“Hope that the reputation of her family and the future of her children will not be harmed by online rumors.”
But several Iranian women’s rights activists claimed the incident was a deliberate protest against Iran’s Islamic dress code.
An unknown number of women have defied Iran’s morality police in the past two years by refusing to wear hijabs.
The group said Daryaei “removed her clothes on campus in a fearless act of defiance after enduring harassment and assault by security forces enforcing mandatory hijab.”
“Her bravery speaks for countless women who refuse to sit silently as their dignity and rights are trampled by a repressive system,” it said.
‘Troubling Sign’
Masih Alinejad, an Iranian American women’s rights activist and president of the World Liberty Congress, wrote: “The name of this iconic woman has unfortunately not yet been verified.“The name Ahoo Daryaei is circulating and may be accurate, but it’s equally important to note that no independent media or Iranian human rights organization has been able to confirm this name independently. This is always a troubling sign.”
Over the weekend, mass-circulation daily Hamshahri said on its website, “An informed source said ... the perpetrator of this act has severe mental problems and, after investigations, she will most likely be transferred to a mental hospital.”
“My family didn’t do it, but many families under pressure do, thinking it’s the best way to protect their loved ones. This is how the Islamic Republic tries to discredit women by questioning their mental health.”
Iranian news agency Tasnim said on Nov. 4 that those reacting on social media were “the same anti-Iran movement which jumped on the Mahsa Amini affair in 2022.”
