contain provisions that effectively discriminate against women and fail to protect them
adequately from violence.23 In November 2019, the Islamic Republic of Iran rejected States’
UPR recommendations asking for the criminalisation of domestic violence and marital rape.24
Reports of cases of violence against women have shown that there is a general lack of
perpetrators accountability. 25 26 27 Victims wishing to file a complaint for domestic violence
must present two adult male witnesses to the assault, an evidentiary burden difficult to meet -if
not impossible.28 Further, a woman can be given permission to leave the marital house only if
she can prove to a court a significant risk of bodily harm or threat to her life and safety.29 When
perpetrators are convicted, sentences tend to be a payment of diyah (financial compensation)30
unless the offence is found to have disrupted public order and the safety of society, in which case
a prison sentence may be imposed.31 Additionally, the absence of laws providing for the issuance
of restraining orders puts victims under the risk of abusers’ retaliation. In October 2018, a
woman, who had been hospitalised after having been stabbed by her brother, was murdered by
her brother at the hospital.32
Reports have shown that police and judges often consider domestic violence as an internal family
matter.33 Police intervention has reportedly been discouraged and parties are urged to settle outof-court. 34 35 State institutions and Iranian authorities have reportedly been unwilling to
investigate, punish perpetrators and provide social services to victims of sexual assault or rape.36
Women in Iran who have been victim of abuse may obtain information on shelters through a
government welfare organisation hotline.37 Additionally, 358 social emergency units had been
23
This information is up-to-date and accurate as of early February 2021. For more up to date information on the passage of this
bill, please click the following link: http://www.impactiran.org/vawbill
24
Recommendations 26.253, 26.254, Universal Periodic Review, Iran, 2019, https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/43/12/Add.1
25
Center for Human Rights in Iran, 2019, https://iranhumanrights.org/2019/11/stop-violence-against-women/
26
Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, 2020, https://iranhrdc.org/access-to-justice-for-victims-of-sexual-violence-in-iran/
27
Human Rights Activists News Agency, https://www.en-hrana.org/articles
28
“The standard [of proof] for testimony in all offences shall be two male witnesses; unless in zina, livat, tafkhiz, and mosaheqeh
which shall be proved by four male witnesses” Article 199 of the Islamic Penal Code (2013), Iran Human Rights Documentation
Center, 2020, https://iranhrdc.org/access-to-justice-for-victims-of-sexual-violence-in-iran/
29
Amnesty International, 2015, https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/MDE1311112015ENGLISH.pdf
30
Ibid.
31
Article 614, Islamic Penal Code (2013), Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, https://iranhrdc.org/islamic-penal-code-ofthe-islamic-republic-of-iran-book-five/
32
Center for Human Rights in Iran, 2018, https://iranhumanrights.org/2018/11/iran-must-pass-legislation-to-protect-womenagainst-violence/ ; https://www.ilna.news/-اﻗﺪام-ھﻤﮫ-ﭼﺸﻤﺎن-ﺑﺮاﺑﺮ-در-ﻗﺎﺗﻞ-ﺑﯿﻤﺎرﺳﺘﺎن-در-ﺑﺮادرش-ﺗﻮﺳﻂ-ﺟﻮان-زن-ﻗﺘﻞ-15/685150-ھﺎ-اﺳﺘﺎن-ﺑﺨﺶ
ﮐﺮد-ﻗﺘﻞ-ﺑﮫ
33
2019 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Iran, U.S. Department of State, https://www.state.gov/reports/2019country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/iran/
34
UN General Assembly, ‘Situation of human rights in Iran’ (para 32), 31 August 2015,
https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2F70%2F352&Language=E&DeviceType=Desktop
35
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Country Information report, Iran, 2020,
https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/country-information-report-iran.pdf
36
Iran Human Rights Documentation Center, 2020, https://iranhrdc.org/access-to-justice-for-victims-of-sexual-violence-in-iran/
37
http://123.behzisti.ir/
3