Amnesty International has called for the immediate release of a university student in Iran who was reportedly “violently arrested” after publicly removing her clothes, allegedly in protest against Iran’s enforced hijab laws. The organization tweeted that the woman was protesting the “abusive enforcement of compulsory veiling” by security personnel at Tehran’s Islamic Azad University. Footage shared online shows a woman, stripped to her underwear, walking outside the campus.
University Responds, Citing Stress and Mental Health Issues
In response to the incident, university officials released a statement describing the student as being “under severe stress and suffering from mental disorders” and reported that she was transferred to a medical center for care. However, prominent Iranian activist Masih Alinejad shared a contrasting account, stating that the student had been harassed by the university’s “morality police” over her “improper” hijab. According to Alinejad, the student resisted by “turning her body into a protest” and defying Iran’s regulations that restrict women’s dress.
Footage of the Arrest Circulates on Social Media
Social media videos show the woman being detained and taken away in a vehicle. Amnesty International issued a statement insisting that Iranian authorities “must immediately and unconditionally release the university student who was violently arrested on 2 November.” In contrast, Iran’s state-affiliated Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA) reported that the incident was unrelated to hijab enforcement, claiming instead that the student argued with security after using her phone to record others without permission.
UN Rapporteur to Monitor Case Closely
United Nations special rapporteur on Iran, Mai Sato, expressed concern about the incident and vowed to “monitor this incident closely, including the authorities’ response.” Despite the global condemnation of Iran’s strict dress code following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022—while in custody for hijab violations—the country continues to enforce compulsory veiling and maintains tight control over women’s dress and public behavior.
