According to The Independent, Iran is stepping up the integration of technology into the surveillance system to control women's compliance with the tradition of wrapping hijabs, which is a mandatory regulation in this country.
A 20-page report recently released by the International independent Investigation Committee on the Islamic Republic of Iran - hosted by the United Nations - shows that those in a tough line are calling for more severe punishment for those who object to or do not comply with the hijab law.
The report comes after the United Nations concluded that the Iranian government must bear responsibility for Mahsa Amini's death due to harsh regulations regarding hijab.
The report stated that the Iranian government increasingly relies on state-backed militia to oversee the implementation of the hijab law, making it a civil responsibility.
The Iranian delegation to the United Nations has not yet commented on the findings in the report.
Iran's electronic monitoring measures include deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to track women in public places. At Amirkabir University in Tehran, officials have installed facial recognition software at the entrance to detect people not wearing hijabs.
Security cameras on major Iranian routes are also said to be searching for women violators. Investigators say Iranian police even provide the Nazer mobile app, which allows the public to report women who do not wear a headscarf when riding vehicles - including ambulances, buses, subway and taxis.
Mahsa Amini's death sparked a wave of nationwide protests in September 2022, against the mandatory hijab law.
After large-scale protests, the police have gradually relaxed the enforcement of the hijab law. However, since April 2024, the Iranian government has tightened again in the campaign called Noor (Light). However, civil disorder continues, despite the risk of imprisonment.
The Independent cited data from a UN report saying that at least 618 women were arrested as part of the Noor campaign.
While continuing to oppress violators of the hijab law, Iran is also facing an economic crisis due to US sanctions related to the nuclear program.
US President Donald Trump has called for new negotiations, but Iran has not responded to the letter he sent to President Ali Khamenei. The Independent said that social instability combined with economic difficulties continue to be a major challenge for the regime in Iran.
