UN rights chief calls on Iran to repeal hijab law, halt executions

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged Iran to permanently repeal its hijab law and end its use of the death penalty, speaking at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council on Monday.

"I call again on the authorities to repeal the (hijab) law fully and permanently, along with all other laws and practices that discriminate against women and girls," Turk said.

In December, Iran postponed the implementation of the controversial hijab law that imposes severe penalties on women and girls who defy veiling requirements, following huge backlash from the public and the international community.

Despite this, Iranian authorities continue to crack down on women who appear unveiled in public.

He also called for the release of all detained human rights defenders and an end to arbitrary arrests and imprisonment. Expressing concern over a sharp rise in executions, Turk noted that more than 900 cases were reported last year.

"I have urged the Iranian authorities to place an immediate moratorium on the use of the death penalty," he added.

At least 54 political prisoners are currently on death row in Iran, according US-based rights group Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), with 19 having their convictions upheld by higher courts of the Islamic Republic

In 2024, a total of 31 women were executed in Iran, the highest annual number in 17 years.