11th July 2024

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

End harmful practices Middle East and North Africa

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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.

  • Criminalise 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.

About

11 July 2024

12 pages

Languages

EN

Classification

Submissions
End harmful practices
Middle East and North Africa

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For more information, contact programs@equalitynow.org.

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