father who must consent prior to the initiation of legal proceedings, except in cases where the father is the person against whom a complaint is made, or he is unavailable to provide his consent.30 31 In June 2020, the Iranian Guardian Council passed legislation that, among provisions aimed at protecting children, requires social workers from the State Welfare Organization (SWO) to promptly investigate children in situations of “extreme danger” from abuse, exploitation, or situations resulting in children not being enrolled or present in school.32 33 The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran also established “Special Investigation Branches and Criminal Courts in the Judiciary for the examination of child abuses crimes” and launched an SMS hotline (30003636) for child abuse reports.34 There is no readily available information as to the number of complaints/reports received by these mechanisms or if complaints/reports are promptly investigated and adequately adjudicated. There is no National Human Rights Institution in the Islamic Republic of Iran that is competent to receive and address complaints of violations of children’s rights. Child offenders have not been guaranteed legal representation and financial and other needed support in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including to exercise their right to a retrial as provided for by article 91 of the Penal Code. Recommendation Status: This recommendation has NOT been implemented. 30 Civil Code, art. 1210 For example see art. 1172 of the Civil law. 32 Human Rights Watch, https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/23/iran-child-protection-law-positive-insufficient 33 Parliament of the Islamic Republic of Iran, https://rc.majlis.ir/fa/legal_draft/state/1055680 34 National Report, UPR 2019, Islamic Republic of Iran, https://undocs.org/A/HRC/WG.6/34/IRN/1 31 5