Iran’s “Hijab Clinics”: A New Tool for Suppressing Dissent

In a concerning progress, the Iranian regime is employing “hijab clinics” as a means to suppress dissent and enforce strict dress codes. These clinics, presented as offering “scientific and psychological treatment,” target women who do not adhere to the government’s stringent hijab regulations. This strategy raises serious concerns about human rights and the use of psychiatry as a tool for political oppression.

The “Hijab Clinic” Strategy

the Iranian government’s approach involves labeling women who defy hijab laws as mentally ill, leading to forced detentions in psychiatric institutions. This practice is not limited to women; men who do not adhere to strict behavioral rules also face similar consequences. Human rights organizations condemn this as a systematic effort to silence opposition.

in November,Iran announced the first official “treatment clinic” for women who do not wear their hijab according to regulations,with a senior official stating the clinic will offer “scientific and psychological treatment.”

Testimonies of Abuse: Nargis’s Story

The experience of 22-year-old Nargis illustrates the disturbing reality of these practices.As reported by Mediaplatform More to Her Story, Nargis was apprehended by seven agents from the iranian sexual police for wearing her headscarf loosely. She was detained for nine hours, interrogated, and denied food and drink.

Most alarmingly, Nargis was coerced into signing a document admitting to mental health issues and agreeing to psychiatric institutionalization. “I am still afraid that they will use that letter to knock on my door one day and send me to one of those centers,” she recounts, highlighting the lingering fear and uncertainty many women in Iran now face.

past Parallels: Psychiatric Abuse as Political Tool

The use of psychiatric institutions to suppress dissent is not unique to Iran. Daanika Kamal, a researcher specializing in women’s rights, notes parallels with the Soviet Union, where “until one third of political dissidents was randomly regarded as suffering from schizophrenia” and confined to psychiatric hospitals. This tactic was also employed in China in the 1990s against activists, demonstrating a disturbing global pattern of using mental health systems for political control.

The Hijab as a Symbol of Compliance

daanika Kamal explains that in Iran, the hijab’s meaning extends beyond religion or modesty. “It’s about compliance with traditional roles by women,” she writes. “Women who reject the hijab point out those roles in the eyes of the regime, and therefore also the authority of the state.” This viewpoint underscores how the enforcement of hijab laws is deeply intertwined with the regime’s broader efforts to maintain control and suppress challenges to its authority.

Escalating Resistance and Regime Response

Resistance to mandatory hijab laws dates back to the iranian Revolution in November 1978. Protests intensified in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. These protests, met with severe crackdowns, have further exposed the regime’s human rights violations. “The Iranian authorities systematically use involuntary psychiatric hospitalization as an instrument to suppress different opinions, and call protesters mentally unstable to undermine their credibility,” according to the director of The Iranian Center for Human Rights.

A Call to Action

The international community must condemn the Iranian regime’s use of “hijab clinics” and other practices that violate human rights. Supporting human rights organizations, advocating for targeted sanctions against those responsible for these abuses, and amplifying the voices of Iranian women are crucial steps in holding the regime accountable. It’s time to stand in solidarity with the Iranian people and demand an end to these oppressive practices.

How do “hijab clinics” in Iran represent a violation of women’s human rights?

iran’s “Hijab Clinics”: A conversation on Suppressing Dissent – An Interview with Dr.iya al-Sayyal

Introduction

Archyde News has the distinct privilege of hosting a conversation with Dr. Iya al-Sayyal, a renowned Middle East political sociologist and author of Veiled oppressions: The Politicization of Dress in Iran. Joining us remotely from her offices in Amman, Jordan, Dr. al-Sayyal shares insights on the concerning trend of “hijab clinics” in Iran and its implications on human rights and political dissent.Welcome, Dr. al-Sayyal.

“Hijab Clinics”: A New Tool for Enforcement?

Dr. al-Sayyal, could you start by explaining the recent phenomenon of “hijab clinics” in Iran and how they fit into the regime’s strategy of suppressing dissent?

Dr. al-Sayyal: Thank you for having me. The Iranian government’s latest strategy to enforce dress codes, especially the hijab, involves establishing these “hijab clinics.” Labeling women who don’t comply as mentally ill allows them to institutionalize these women, frequently enough without a proper process or evidence of mental health issues. This is not just about modesty; it’s about control and silencing opposition.

Psychiatry as a Political Tool: A Troubling Parallel

Your research draws parallels with the Soviet Union and china’s use of psychiatry for political control. Could you elaborate on this?

Dr. al-Sayyal: Yes, sadly, this is not a new tactic. In the Soviet Union, political dissidents were often diagnosed with ‘sluggish schizophrenia’ – a non-existent condition at the time – and confined to psychiatric hospitals. In China, during the 19. This demonstrates a disturbing global trend of exploiting mental health systems for political control.

The Hijab as a Symbol of Compliance

The hijab has become a hotly debated symbol in Iran. Can you discuss why it serves as a flashpoint for women’s rights and the regime’s authority?

dr. al-Sayyal: In Iran, the hijab is more than just a religious obligation; it’s a symbol of women’s compliance with conventional roles.Women who reject it publicly challenge these roles and, by extension, the regime’s authority. That’s why the hijab has become a battleground for women’s rights activists and a powerful tool for the regime to assert control.

Recent Uptick in Dissent and the Regime’s Response

Protests against mandatory hijab laws have intensified.How might the regime’s use of “hijab clinics” evolve in response?

Dr. al-Sayyal: With the increased dissent, especially following Mahsa Amini’s death, we could see more aggressive use of these clinics to deter others from joining protests. the regime may also attempt to discredit protesters by labeling them as mentally unstable, as we’ve seen in the past.

A Call to Action: What Can the International Community Do?

what steps can the international community take to pressure Iran to end these abusive practices?

Dr. al-Sayyal: To start, they must publicly condemn these acts and put pressure on the Iranian government. Targeted sanctions against those responsible and support for human rights organizations are crucial. Amplifying the voices of Iranian women, both within and outside Iran, is also essential.

Final Thoughts

Dr. al-Sayyal, if there’s one takeaway you’d like our readers to remember, what would it be?

Dr. al-Sayyal: The hijab debate in Iran is not just about clothing; it’s about freedom, human rights, and women’s empowerment. We must continue pushing for Iranian women’s right to choose, free from political repression and fear.

Thank You

Thank you, Dr. Iya al-Sayyal, for sharing your invaluable insights. Readers, we hope this interview has shed light on the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Iran and the urgent need for international action.