Iran Deploys AI and Drones to Enforce Hijab Laws, UN Report States
Image Credit: Ashkan Forouzani | Splash
A recent United Nations report by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran details the country’s use of advanced technologies—such as artificial intelligence, drones and facial recognition systems—to enforce mandatory hijab laws. The report, based on two years of investigation, 285 victim and witness interviews, and analysis of over 38,000 pieces of evidence, outlines human rights violations linked to the suppression of protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in September 2022.
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Protests Erupt After Mahsa Amini’s Death in Custody
The protests began when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in custody after her arrest by Iran’s “morality police” for allegedly violating hijab regulations. Demonstrations spread across the country, marking a major challenge to the government since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Protesters adopted the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom”, calling for reforms on dress codes, gender equality and personal freedoms. Authorities responded with a crackdown, during which human rights groups reported at least 500 deaths, while state media cited approximately 200. Around 20,000 individuals were arrested, according to estimates.
Sara Hossain, Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission, stated,
“In suppressing the 2022 nationwide protests, Iranian authorities committed grave human rights violations, some of which we found to constitute crimes against humanity”.
The report documents cases of physical and psychological abuse, including the detention of children as young as seven, and notes violations of fair trial rights.
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Noor Plan Introduces Technological Enforcement
Since April 2024, Iran has implemented the “Noor Plan”, utilizing drones and facial recognition to monitor hijab compliance in public spaces. The “Nazer” app allows vetted citizens to report individuals not wearing the hijab, extending state oversight. This approach shifts enforcement from the morality police to digital surveillance, resembling China’s use of technology to monitor the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. The report suggests Iran may be adopting Chinese AI and surveillance tools, supported by deepening technological cooperation between Tehran and Beijing. Iran’s stated purpose centers on enforcing religious and gender norms, differing from China’s stated counterterrorism focus.
Shaheen Sardar Ali, a Mission member, said,
“Online surveillance has become a key tool for state repression. For example, Instagram accounts have been shut down, and SIM cards, particularly those belonging to human rights defenders, including women activists, have been confiscated”.
The report describes these measures as expanding the scope of state monitoring.
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Executions and Minority Targeting Documented
The investigation found that 10 men have been executed in connection with the 2022 protests, with 11 men and three women currently facing execution. Witnesses reported detainees experiencing psychological tactics, such as mock executions with nooses and physical violence. The report states that ethnic and religious minorities, particularly in protest-heavy regions like Kurdistan, faced heightened repression. Hossain noted in Geneva that these groups were “specifically targeted during the protests”, with documented cases of detentions at gunpoint.
Women’s rights activists have faced fines, prison terms, and, in some instances, death sentences for their advocacy. The report highlights a contrast between these actions and President Masoud Pezeshkian’s pre-election pledges to relax hijab enforcement.
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Hijab and Chastity Bill Passed by Parliament
In December, Iran’s parliament approved the “Hijab and Chastity Bill”, requiring women and girls aged 12 and older to wear hijabs in public and online spaces. Post-2022 protest surveys show 93% of Iranian women oppose mandatory hijab laws, with 40-45% no longer complying. The report frames the hijab as a point of contention between the government and citizens, tied to issues of control and autonomy.
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Public Sentiment Shifts Amid Economic Strain
A survey from last year indicates that nearly 40% of young Iranians reject religion and theocratic governance, reflecting a move away from the 1979 revolution’s principles. Economic issues, including inflation rates above 40% and shortages of electricity, gas, gasoline and water, have fuelled public frustration. The report notes criticism of the government’s spending on foreign conflicts—such as $50 billion in support for Syria’s Bashar al-Assad—over domestic needs. Protests have largely subsided since spring 2023, though dissatisfaction persists.
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UN Findings Set for Council Review
The Fact-Finding Mission’s report will be presented to the Human Rights Council next Tuesday. Established in November 2022, the Mission was tasked with investigating protest-related human rights violations, focusing on women and children, and preserving evidence for potential legal action. The findings highlight Iran’s increasing reliance on technology to maintain authority amid ongoing domestic challenges.
Iran’s use of AI, drones and legislative measures to enforce hijab laws reflects a broader strategy to address resistance, set against a backdrop of shifting public attitudes and economic difficulties. The Human Rights Council’s response may shape future international engagement with these developments.
Hong Kong’s Parallel: Incentives for Public Housing Oversight
A similar reliance on citizen reporting with financial incentives exists in Hong Kong, where the Housing Authority (HA) encourages the public to identify misuse of public rental housing, such as subletting or non-occupation. Since October 2023, property management companies have earned additional points in tender bids for reporting violations, and as of January 15, 2025, individuals can receive up to HK$3,000 (approximately US$385) for information leading to tenancy termination. The HA supplements these reports with data matching and spot checks, recovering at least 5,000 units between 2022 and 2024, with efforts ongoing into 2025—an amount comparable to a sizable housing estate.
While Iran’s “Nazer” app enforces ideological conformity, Hong Kong’s policy focuses on resource allocation, ensuring public housing serves eligible tenants. Both systems shift enforcement from state agents to citizens, prompting debate about their wider effects. Supporters of Hong Kong’s approach say it boosts efficiency, addressing a waitlist of approximately 250,000 general applicants as of early 2025. Critics argue that cash rewards could erode neighbourly trust, with residents potentially viewing each other as informants motivated by profit rather than community good. However, there is no detailed studies yet assess the policy’s social impact.
Source: Jerusalem Post, HKHA
