11th July 2024

Iran – Submission to the Human Rights Council at the 48th Session of the Universal Periodic Review, January 2025

Equality Now and our partners The Centre for Supporters of Human Rights and Femena made this submission to the Working Group of the Human Rights Council at the 48th Session of the Universal Periodic Review in January 2025.

 

What’s inside the submission?

This submission outlines gaps in the implementation of international human rights obligations and the legislation of the Iranian State in addressing child, early, and forced marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and discriminatory laws. It further details the suppression and criminalization of WHRDs who are advocating for legal equality and social justice in Iran.

Who’s it for?

  • Law and policymakers
  • Legal professionals
  • Government institutions

Key recommendations

  • Ban Child Marriage and Raise the Legal Age:
    Urge Iran to amend its Civil Code to set the minimum legal age of marriage at 18 for all, without exceptions, and fully enforce laws against child, early, and forced marriage.

  • Criminalize FGM Nationwide:
    Call for the enactment of a clear, comprehensive law explicitly banning all forms of female genital mutilation (FGM), ensuring prevention, accountability, and survivor support.

  • Protect Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs):
    Demand Iran stop the persecution of WHRDs, including arbitrary detention and harassment, and ensure their right to peaceful assembly, expression, and advocacy.

  • End Legal Discrimination and Violence Against Women:
    Recommend urgent reform of discriminatory laws, adoption of comprehensive domestic violence legislation, and removal of barriers that restrict women’s legal rights and bodily autonomy.

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Intervention on the Occasion of the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Equality Now celebrates the Central African Republic’s ratification of the Maputo Protocol and urges its full implementation. We also call for the withdrawal of reservations by nine AU Member States and the swift enactment of Ghana’s Spousal Property Rights Bill to advance women’s rights across Africa.

Advancing digital rights and legal reforms to end technology-facilitated gender-based violence and protect women and girls in Southern Africa

Equality Now and AUDRi, in partnership with the Southern Africa Youth Forum, co-hosted a side event on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) at the Southern Africa People’s Summit on 16 August 2025 in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The discussion centred on how advancing digital rights for women, girls, and other marginalised groups through legal reforms can help end TFGBV, with a particular focus on tackling online sexual exploitation and abuse.

Recommendations to SADC heads of State and Government on strengthening protection and support mechanisms for survivors of child marriage

Equality Now, together with the Stop Violence – Stop Child Marriage Project, YWCA Madagascar, Plan International, SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF), and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), convened a side event at the Southern Africa People’s Summit on 15 August 2025 under the theme “Strengthening Protection and Support Mechanisms for Survivors of Child Marriage.”

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