New York/The Hague

Respect of fundamental human rights is a cornerstone of democracy. Parliamentarians for Global Action’s (PGA) Executive Committee has taken a bold stance by supporting the “I oppose the mandatory hijab” campaign, a resounding call for women’s right to decide what to wear, transcending borders, cultures, and religions to address a significant symbol that has been used to oppress and punish Iranian women for decades.

The Executive Committee’s support for the campaign reflects PGA’s core values of equality, inclusion, freedom, and justice for all. At the heart of this movement lies the fundamental principle that every individual, regardless of gender, should have bodily autonomy to determine their attire as an expression of their personal beliefs and identity. PGA recognizes that clothing, in some cases, is not merely a superficial choice but a powerful means of self-expression and cultural identity. Denying women this right is an affront to their dignity and freedom of choice.

The hijab, which should ideally represent a personal choice, has often been weaponized as a tool of control, forcing women to follow decisions imposed by the government. This fight, therefore, sheds light on the disturbing reality faced by countless Iranian women who, unfortunately, navigate complex legal, cultural, and societal constraints to assert their right to choose how they dress and their right to express themselves freely. The struggle against the mandatory hijab resonates beyond Iran's borders and illustrates the interrelation of human rights struggles worldwide. The universality of women’s rights is a shared and collective responsibility that should challenge and eradicate gender-based discrimination to seek better and stronger democracies.

"I oppose the mandatory hijab" serves as a rallying cry, a call to action, and a beacon of hope for Iranian women and women worldwide, igniting a transformative movement towards a more peaceful, just, inclusive and equitable world.

Background

The idea of the Freedom Buttons that read “I opposed the mandatory hijab” in Persian came in 2018 following Mr. Reza Khandan, the husband of human rights lawyer and activist Nasrin Sotoudeh, and their friend, Mr. Farhad Meysami’s solidarity with the “Girls of Revolution Street.” However, the buttons were confiscated by Iran’s Intelligence Ministry after they raided Mr. Khandan and Mr. Meysami’s houses and offices.

In a move to keep their fight and struggle alive, film director and producers of the documentary “Nasrin,” Jeff Kaufman and Marcia Ross, decided to reproduce the buttons after seeing Ms. Sotoudeh wearing her button in a group photo with Mr. Meysami after his release from prison.

Parliamentarians for Global Action has long advocated for Ms. Sotoudeh's immediate and unconditional release, who has been convicted to 38 years in prison and 148 lashes.

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