Concluding Observations Committee on the Rights of the Child CRC/C/IRN/CO/3-4 para
26
Full recommendation:
The Committee urges the State party to put an end to repression against non-governmental
organisations working in the area of children’s rights and to hold those responsible for
harassment and persecution of human rights activists accountable.
Assessment using Impact Iran human rights indicators1
A. The State party should put an end to repression against non-governmental
organisations working in the area of children’s rights
The establishment and operations of groups, political associations and trade unions are protected
under Article 26 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, provided that they do not
violate the State’s independence, freedom and national unity, and are in conformity with Islamic
standards and the Islamic Republic’s foundation. 2 These vaguely worded limitations are open to
interpretation and grant the Government with significant leeway to restrain civil society
organisations (CSOs) and interfere with their work.3 4 The Labor Law states in its Article 131
that founding members of CSO boards have “to pledge allegiance to the Islamic Republic of
Iran’s Constitution”. The Iranian Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution passed two directives
(in 1999 and 2001) which allow only the formation of Islamic associations at universities, in
other words an association which follows ‘Islamic ideals’ as well as the principles of the Islamic
Revolution, the Islamic Government and the Constitution.5 Similarly, all members of an
association’s founding board must believe in and pledge allegiance to Islam, the authority of the
Supreme Leader, and the Constitution of Iran.6 Any association which fail to fulfill these
conditions cannot acquire a license.
In order to be able to establish an independent civil society organisation (CSO) or association,
the Government of Iran requires first an activity license from relevant authorities and then a
registration with the General Directorate of Corporate Registrar and Non-Commercial
1
CCPR.22.1.S.; CRC.22.2.S.2;
CCPR.22.1.P.1.; CRC.22.2.P.1;
CCPR.22.1.O.2.
2
Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/constitutionenglish-1368.pdf
3
Outright International, Rights of the Child in Iran,
https://outrightinternational.org/sites/default/files/CRC71_Iran_JointSubmission_FINAL2.pdf
4
A Synthesis Report of NGO Submissions to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for Consideration of the Third
Periodic Report of The Islamic Republic of Iran During the 71st Pre-Sessional Working Group, https://justice4iran.org/wpcontent/uploads/2015/07/Joint-CRC-Report-February-2015-Final.pdf
5
Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution’s Directive, 1999, https://bit.ly/3sCsnXE
6
Paragraph 1, Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution’s Directive, 1999, https://bit.ly/2LKuvfk
1