Women burn headscarves in anti-hijab protests
Protests are escalating across Iran with female protesters burning headscarves, following the death of a young woman in custody after she had been detained for breaking hijab rules.
Witnesses say officers beat the young woman in their custody, she fell into a coma for three days before she died. Police have denied the allegations and said the woman had prior health conditions, which her family rejected.
Demonstrations continued into the fifth successive night and have reached several towns and cities.
“Mahsa Amini’s tragic death and allegations of torture and ill-treatment must be promptly, impartially and effectively investigated by an independent competent authority, that ensures, in particular, that her family has access to justice and truth,” acting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada al-Nashif.
She said the UN had received “numerous, and verified, videos of violent treatment of women” as morality police expanded their street patrols in recent months to crack down on those perceived to be wearing “loose hijab.”
“The authorities must stop targeting, harassing, and detaining women who do not abide by the hijab rules,” she added, calling for their repeal.