established across the country to respond to social issues, including domestic violence.38
However, in 2014 the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic
Republic of Iran stated that the number of safe houses was insufficient.39 In the context of its
2014 Universal Periodic Review, the government stated that it established 24 ‘rehabilitation
centres’ and 31 ‘health centres’ throughout the country for women and girls who have been
subjected to domestic violence.40 According to official sources, there are 400 ‘social emergency
shelters’ countrywide that provide services to victims of domestic violence, although these
shelters are not necessarily specifically designed for survivors of domestic violence.41 42 The
Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran reiterated that
the State lacked sufficient domestic violence shelters and reported that there were only 28,
established in 27 out of 31 provinces, including 20 run by non-governmental organisations.43 44 45
The Government stipulated that there were 357 social emergency centres for victims of violence
and 31 girl-only medical centres.46 The State’s Welfare Organisation reported that shelters care
for approximately 2,000 victims of domestic violence a year.47 In comparison, 16,420 cases of
domestic violence have been reported in 2019, just in Tehran.48 Further, the existing shelters, that
are generally located solely in major cities, are reportedly poorly resourced and advertised and
are unable to provide long-term support.49 50
Recommendation Status:
This recommendation has NOT been implemented.
38
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, January 2021,
https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2Fhrc%2F46%2F50&Language=E&DeviceType=Desktop
39
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 2014,
https://www.refworld.org/docid/5436a31f4.html
40
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, September 2016, para 59,
https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2F71%2F418&Language=E&DeviceType=Desktop
41
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
42
Report Danish Refugee Council, Ministry of Immigration and Integration Denmark, (p. 28), February 2018,
https://www.justice.gov/file/1047171/download
43
See www.irna.ir/news/83656641/
44
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, July 2020,
https://undocs.org/A/75/213
45
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, January 2021,
https://undocs.org/Home/Mobile?FinalSymbol=A%2Fhrc%2F46%2F50&Language=E&DeviceType=Desktop
46
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, July 2020,
https://undocs.org/A/75/213
47
Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights, Centre for Supporters of Human Rights and Minority Rights Group International
September 2019, https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1203136/download
48
Human Rights Activists News Agency, 2019, https://www.en-hrana.org/increase-in-domestic-violence-in-tehran-more-than16-thousand-cases-were-filed
49
www.hamshahrionline.ir/x66FG; https://www.radiozamaneh.com/488134 (in Persian).
50
Ceasefire Centre for Civilian Rights, Centre for Supporters of Human Rights and Minority Rights Group International
September 2019, https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1203136/download
4