Human rights experts condemn Iran's imprisonment of women protesting against the mandatory hijab
August 22, 2019, 4:48 am

Human rights experts condemn Iran's imprisonment of women protesting against the mandatory hijab

A group of United Nations human rights experts has condemned the lengthy prison sentences against three Iranian women who are arbitrarily detained for publicly protesting against the mandatory wearing of hijab.

According to a press release issued on Friday, experts have expressed concern as the detention and lengthy sentences imposed on these women are directly associated to the peaceful practices to support the struggle of Iranian women for basic human rights, freedom of expression and equality in Iran.

Human rights experts have called on the Iranian authorities to reverse these convictions and to immediately release all human rights defenders who have been arbitrarily detained for their activities in defence of women's rights, and to ensure full respect for women's rights of freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly.

According to the statement, Mojan Keshavarz has been sentenced to 23 years and six months, Yasaman Aryani and Monireh Arabshahi have been sentenced to 16 years in prison. The three women have been convicted on charges of assembling, joining acts against national security, propagating against the state and promoting moral corruption and prostitution. Keshavarz has also been convicted of “insulting religious sensitivities”.

Experts said the charges were filed after an online video showing the three women distributing flowers to Tehran's metro commuters on International Women's Day on 8 March, 2019. The human rights activists, not wearing the hijab, have peacefully protested against the law of the mandatory hijab in Iran and called for women’s right to choose whether to wear the hijab or not.

After posting the video footage, the women were detained and forcibly disappeared for a period of 9 to 14 days last April. They were also deprived of contacting lawyers during the preliminary investigation phase. Their legal representatives were reportedly denied representation in their trial.

Experts expressed particular concern about this apparent violation of women's right to a fair trial. “We remind the Iranian authorities that the human rights activists, who object to the imposition of the mandatory dress code on women, have acted in the defence of universally guaranteed human rights,” experts stated.

Experts noted that the use of repressive legislation to criminalize the exercise of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly runs counter to Iran's obligations under international human rights law.

The experts also drew attention to the fact that the three women were among a number of other Iranian human rights activists who had been arrested and convicted on national security charges for encouraging the realization of women's rights. According to reports, at least 32 people have been arrested since January 2018 and at least 10 people have been imprisoned for protesting against the mandatory wearing of hijab.

Arrests of women's rights activists have reportedly increased in recent weeks, and one official has warned that other people protesting against the wearing of the hijab could be charged with crimes related to national security.

United Nations experts are: Javaid Rehman, Special Rapporteur for human rights in Iran.

Dubravka Šimonović, Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its causes and consequences.

Michelle Forrest, Special Rapporteur for human rights activists.

Meskerem Geset Techane, Chairperson of the Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls.

David Kaye, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression

Ahmed Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief.

The Special Rapporteurs and independent experts are appointed by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, an intergovernmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the world. The rapporteurs and experts are mandated to study the human rights situation and report to the Human Rights Council. It should be noted that this is an honorary position , as these experts are not staff members of the United Nations and are not remunerated for their work.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.