Source: www.uscirf.gov
Date: April 19, 2023
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report on Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Religious Freedom Protesters in Iran.
Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Religious Freedom Protesters in Iran – This factsheet describes the Iranian government’s deliberate and systematic use of sexual and gender based violence (SGBV) against Iranians protesting mandatory hijab laws and other religious freedom violations. The factsheet demonstrates evidence that Iran’s government is actively denying evidence of these attacks. It also identifies unique ways in which Iran is weaponizing religious concepts of purity, modesty, and gender hierarchy to shame and silence protestors. The factsheet then provides documented examples of both anonymous and named survivors of state-perpetrated SGBV in Iran. It concludes by recommending the United States continue to coordinate international action to hold accountable Iranian security officials responsible for this violence.
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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at