An Iranian activist, Hamideh Zarei, has been sentenced to a brutal 178 lashes and 18 months in prison after being arrested for defying the country’s mandatory hijab law. Zarei, a Gilak activist and former political prisoner, has become the latest victim of Iran’s harsh crackdown on women’s rights activists.
Zarei’s most recent ordeal began on February 3, 2025, when she appeared at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Rasht as part of a forced residency sentence. While at the office, she was detained for not wearing a hijab, a violation of Iran’s strict dress code. This led to new charges being brought against her, including ‘disrupting public order,’ ‘resisting law enforcement officers,’ ‘insulting an officer on duty,’ and ‘causing non-visible injuries.’
As a result of these charges, Zarei was sentenced to nine months in prison, 74 lashes for ‘disrupting public order,’ and an additional 74 lashes for ‘resisting law enforcement.’ She was also sentenced to 30 lashes for ‘causing non-visible injuries’ to a law enforcement officer during her arrest. This barbaric punishment is part of a wider pattern of state-sanctioned violence against activists, particularly women, who challenge the government’s restrictive policies.
Zarei’s troubles with the Iranian authorities date back several years, highlighting the regime’s ongoing targeting of women’s rights activists. In June 2023, she was arrested after being summoned to Rasht Court and sent to Lakan Prison, only to be released on June 10, 2023, after securing a judicial bond.
In November 2023, the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced her to one year in prison for “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran.” However, after appealing the sentence, it was reduced to nine months. She was first detained in May 2023 and imprisoned at Kachouii Prison until her release in February 2024, after serving the majority of her sentence. During this time, Zarei was also banned from traveling and prohibited from engaging in social media activities for two years, effectively isolating her from both the public and international supporters.
Zarei’s first known arrest occurred in November 2022, when she was detained for attending a memorial for Hadis Najafi, a young woman killed by security forces during the 2022 protests. This event became a flashpoint for the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement, which had been ignited by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died in police custody after allegedly violating Iran’s hijab rules, sparking mass protests across the country. Zarei’s arrest and imprisonment were part of Iran’s broader effort to silence dissent following Amini’s death.
During her most recent detention in February 2025, Zarei was reportedly subjected to physical abuse by two officers from the Rasht Prosecutor’s Office Protection Unit. The assault caused wrist injuries and severe bruising, further exacerbating the already harsh conditions she faced in prison. These incidents of physical violence have become all too common for activists like Zarei, who are targeted by the regime for speaking out against its oppressive policies.
Despite being released on bail on March 3, 2025, Zarei now faces an even more severe punishment: 178 lashes and a lengthy prison sentence. This brutal treatment is part of a broader campaign by the Iranian government to suppress women’s rights and maintain control over those who dare to challenge the regime.
Zarei’s case is far from an isolated incident. It comes in the context of a growing crackdown on women’s rights in Iran, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini’s death while in police custody for allegedly violating the country’s strict hijab laws sparked massive protests across Iran, with women at the forefront of the demonstrations. Many women have since defied authorities by publicly removing their hijabs, a courageous act of resistance against the regime’s oppressive policies.
In addition to Zarei’s case, there have been several high-profile arrests and instances of violence against women in recent months. In November 2024, a young Iranian student was arrested and taken to a mental hospital by morality police after she stripped down to her underwear and walked around Tehran’s Islamic Azad University in a powerful act of defiance. Footage of her brave protest went viral, and human rights activists worldwide called for her immediate release, as reports emerged that she had been severely injured during her violent arrest.
Similarly, in October 2023, a teenager named Armita Geravand was allegedly assaulted by police on Tehran’s metro for not wearing a head covering. She later died in the hospital, further fueling the growing protests against the Iranian government’s strict dress codes and gender-based repression.
These events have highlighted the deepening crisis of women’s rights in Iran and the increasing willingness of the government to use violence to maintain control over its citizens. As more and more women continue to challenge the regime’s authority, the Iranian government has responded with even harsher measures, including mass arrests, brutal beatings, and long prison sentences.
The international community has condemned the Iranian regime’s actions, with human rights organizations calling for immediate intervention. The brutal punishment of Zarei and other women who defy the hijab law has sparked outrage worldwide. Advocacy groups have called on the Iranian government to release political prisoners, including women like Zarei, who are being persecuted for standing up for their rights.
The United Nations and several international human rights organizations have condemned the regime’s practices and called for sanctions against Iran’s government officials responsible for these human rights violations. In addition, there have been widespread calls for the immediate abolition of the country’s mandatory hijab law, which many believe violates women’s basic rights to freedom and personal expression.
Zarei’s case is a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by women in Iran who are fighting for their rights, freedom, and dignity. Despite the heavy-handed tactics employed by the regime, women like Zarei continue to be at the forefront of the fight for equality and justice in the country.
As her sentence looms, the question remains whether international pressure will be enough to halt the Iranian government’s brutal crackdown. While the authorities continue to silence and intimidate activists, the resilience and courage of individuals like Zarei inspire hope that one day the regime’s oppressive laws will be dismantled, and Iranian women will be free to live their lives without fear of punishment or persecution.
