MEPs condemn Iran’s harsh politics against dress code violations of female athletes

Sarhan Basem

Belgium (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Members of the European Parliament constructed a public initiative in an Open Letter on the topic of condemning Iran’s harsh politics against women that do not hold to Iran’s dress code for female athletes. This action is led by Italian MEP Fabio Massimo Castaldo, followed by other members of the Parliament as a result of conflicting news reports over a female Iranian rock climber, who competed without a hijab at an international competition in South Korea, has been put under house arrest in her native country. 

The letter is addressed to  Josep Borrell Fontelles the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR/VP)

The athlete called Elnaz Rekabi is heavily present in news articles in Farsi-language media outside Iran warned she may have been put under house arrest.

The decision by Rekabi, multiple medallists in competitions, to forgo the headscarf, or hijab, came as protests sparked by the September 16 death in custody of a 22-year-old woman have entered the fifth week. Mahsa Amini was detained by the country’s morality police over her clothing. The demonstrations, drawing school-age children, oil workers, and others to the street, represent the most serious challenge to Iran’s theocracy since the mass protests surrounding its disputed 2009 presidential election.

The MEPs underline that Rekabi’s case is only the latest in a series of appalling violations of human rights perpetrated by the Iranian authorities following the outburst of protests in the whole country.

Two years ago, an Iranian international chess referee said she had received death threats after a photo circulated that appeared to show her without a hijab at the Women’s World Chess Championship in Shanghai.

Then Shohreh Bayat insisted that she had been wearing a headscarf loosely over her hair at the time, but she subsequently stopped covering her hair and claimed asylum in the UK after being warned that she could face arrest in Iran.

“I had to chose my side because I was asked to write an apology on Instagram and to apologise publicly,” Ms Bayat told the media.

Ms. Bayat has called on the international community to act over the violent crackdown by Iranian authorities in response to nationwide protests against the compulsory hijab laws and the clerical establishment. 

In the Open Letter, it is noted the MEPs ask which actions are intended to be taken for ensuring the safety of Rekabi? Which actions can be taken for supporting the Iranian civil society in its claim for individual liberties? And Is there any plan for granting political asylum to those at risk of being detained or killed?

Undersigned

Fabio Massimo Castaldo

Yannik Jadot

Andreas Schieder

Mario Furore

Javier Nart

Cyrus Engerer

Salima Yenbou

Olivier Chastel

Dino Giarrusso

Anne-Sophie Pelletier

Rosa D’Amato

Sabrina Pignedoli

Jean-Christoph Oetjen

Jordi Solé

Ramona-victoria Strugariu

Andrea Cozzolino

Thijs Reuten

Ignazio Corrao

Costas Mavrides

Hilde Vautmans

Dietmar Koster

Anna Michelle Asimakopoulou

Carles Puigdemont

Antoni Comín

Andrzej Halicki

Petra Kammerevert

Maria Rodriguez Ramos

Idoia Villanueva

Stelios Kouloglou

Diana Riba

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Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.
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Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
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