Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran A/67/369
para 78
Full recommendation
The Special Rapporteur also continues to underline the importance of perpetuating a culture
of tolerance, and urges the Government to prevent discrimination against women and
girls, as well as religious and ethnic minorities, in all spheres of public life and
services, and to protect their freedoms to freely associate and express themselves. He
further calls on the Government to ensure that the minimum age for marriage complies with
international standards and that measures to prevent the forced, early and temporary marriage of
girls are established.
Assessment using Impact Iran human rights indicators1
A. The Special Rapporteur urges the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to
prevent discrimination against women and girls, as well as religious and ethnic
minorities, in all spheres of public life and services
Article 19 of the Constitution 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”. However, the Constitution omits an explicit provision recognizing religion or belief
as a protected characteristic. Article 20 of the Constitution states that “All citizens of the country,
both men and women, equally enjoy the protection of the law and enjoy all human, political,
economic, social, and cultural rights, in conformity with Islamic criteria”. There is no clear
definition of what constitutes “Islamic criteria”. Additionally, Article 23 of the Constitution
stipulates that “the investigation of individuals’ beliefs is forbidden, and no one may be molested
or taken to task simply for holding a certain belief”. 2
Despite these legal safeguards, the rights of ethnic and religious minorities are not fully protected
under Iranian law. Notably, representation and participation in public affairs by members of ethnic
nationalities or religious minorities is limited. For instance, the Iranian Constitution places
religious requirements on certain high-ranking positions. The President, the Supreme Leaders,
members of the Guardian Council, of the Assembly of Experts and of the Expediency Council
1
CCPR.19.1.S.1; CCPR.19.2.S.1; CCPR.19.2.S.2; CCPR.3.1.S.1; CCPR.3.1.S.4; CCPR.16.1.S.1; CCPR.23.2.S.1;
CCPR.23.4.S.1; CCPR.23.3.S.1; CCPR.25.1.S.3
CCPR.19.2.P.1; CCPR.19.2.P.2; CCPR.19.2.P.3; CCPR.3.1.P.3; CCPR.16.1.P.1; CCPR.23.2.P.1; CCPR.2.3.P.1; CCPR.23.3.P.1;
ESCR.2.2.P.3; CCPR.25.1.P.1
CCPR.19.1.O.1; CCPR.19.2.O.1; CCPR.19.2.O.2; CCPR.19.2.O.5; CCPR.3.1.O.4; CCPR.23.3.O.1; CRC.8.1.O.2;
CCPR.25.1.O.1; CCPR.25.1.O.2
2
The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, English translation, https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wpcontent/uploads/constitution-english-1368.pdf
1