and according to the Government’s statistics published in 2018, female economic participation stood at 15.9 per cent for women, compared to 64.1 per cent for men, one of the lowest rates in the world.18 Structural discriminations deeply entrenched in the Iranian legal system ultimately translate in practice in widespread discriminations against women, in all aspects of their lives.19 There are a number of mechanisms where Iranian citizens can report violations of their rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Article 90 Commission of the parliament,20 or Oversight Bodies for the exercise of Citizenship Rights in the country's provincial courts.21 However, and as aforementioned, gender discrimination is inherent to the Iranian legal framework. Consequently, there is little opportunity for one’s complaint in that matter to be adequately addressed and properly adjudicated in compliance with international standards. There is no independent National Human Rights Institution competent to receive complaints from children, including girls, in the Islamic Republic of Iran. With regards to illegal acts of violence against women under Iranian law, there is no readily available information that might suggest that complaints are adequately addressed, investigated and adjudicated. The status of women in the Islamic Republic of Iran is far from complying with international standards as set under Article 2, 3 and 23 of the ICCPR and women do not enjoy equal rights and freedoms. Reportedly, Ali Khamenei, the current Supreme Leader, has called gender equality ‘one of the biggest mistakes of Western thought.’22 This might well suggest that the Islamic Republic of Iran is not currently considering taking steps to address the structural and institutionalized discrimination against women in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Even though The Government engaged in steps to enhance the status of women in practice, notably with regards to the right to work, these measures have yet to bear their fruits and ultimately do not address the unequal status of women under Iranian law. In effect, the equal enjoyment of rights and freedoms for women in the Islamic Republic of Iran is not guaranteed.23 C. LGBTI Community Article 19 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran guarantees that all people enjoy equal rights, “whatever the ethnic group or tribe to which they belong” and that “color, race, language, and the like, do not bestow any privilege.”24 However, the Constitution lacks an 18 Statistical Centre of Iran, Natayej-e-Amar giri-ye- nirou-ye-kaar, Paeiz-e-1396 [Results of the census on workforce, Autumn of 1396], https://bit.ly/330NG8t 19 See more: Minority Rights, https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MRG_CFR_Iran_EN_Sept191.pdf 20 The Article 90 Commission was established to receive the citizens' complaints against government institutions and has the responsibility to review them and transmit cases for judicial procedure accordingly. 21 These committees have the responsibility to oversee the strict implementation of the "Law on Respect for Legitimate Freedoms and Civil Rights” 22 Minority Rights, https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MRG_CFR_Iran_EN_Sept191.pdf 23 See more : Minority Rights, https://minorityrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/MRG_CFR_Iran_EN_Sept191.pdf 24 Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, http://www.iranchamber.com/government/laws/constitution_ch03.php 4

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