were made to the public social welfare hotlines.39 In April 2020, Mahmoud Aligoo, the head of the department of social harms of the State’s Welfare Organization reportedly announced a dramatic increase in the number of cases of domestic violence, as Iran was going through a governmental mandated lockdown to combat the spread of the virus COVID-19. 40 41 Yet, cases of domestic violence are believed to be largely underreported.42 The Islamic Republic of Iran has not taken the necessary steps to prioritize the elimination of violence against women as a priority issue, nor has it punished all acts of such violence. The Islamic Republic of Iran has not conducted research on violence against women since its report in 2004, which has subsequently disappeared. Recommendation Status: This recommendation has NOT been implemented. 39 Human Rights Activists News Agency, 2020, https://www.en-hrana.org/domestic-violence-increased-during-coronavirusquarantines-and-stay-at-home-orders 40 Human Rights Activists News Agency, 2020, https://www.en-hrana.org/domestic-violence-increased-during-coronavirusquarantines-and-stay-at-home-orders 41 IRNA, 2020, https://bit.ly/38UoMfB 42 Center for Human Rights in Iran, 2018, https://iranhumanrights.org/2018/11/iran-must-pass-legislation-to-protect-womenagainst-violence/ 4