Iranian filmmaker and actress charged with defying hijab

Rakhshan Bani-Etemad (second from the left), the celebrated Iranian filmmaker, and her daughter, actress Baran Kowsari (third from the left), attend a film review session without the mandatory hijab in Tehran.
Rakhshan Bani-Etemad (second from the left), the celebrated Iranian filmmaker, and her daughter, actress Baran Kowsari (third from the left), attend a film review session without the mandatory hijab in Tehran.

The Tehran prosecutor's office has announced legal action against Iranian filmmaker Rakhshan Bani-Etemad and her daughter, actress Baran Kowsari for appearing in public without the mandatory hijab.

According to reports from state media, the charges stem from a film critique session where Bani-Etemad, a renowned filmmaker, and her daughter attended without adhering to the mandatory hijab. The judiciary has not officially named the women, but details released by the prosecutor's office leave little doubt about their identities.

This case is the latest in a series of actions by the Iranian government aimed at silencing women who dare to challenge the country’s Islamic dress code. Since the nationwide protests in 2022, spurred by widespread demands for women's rights and personal freedoms, a growing number of Iranian actresses have removed their hijab in public, risking punishment. The government’s response has been predictably harsh, with numerous women facing legal action, arrests, and harassment.

Journalist Masoud Kazemi, commenting on the filing of the case against the two cultural icons, pointedly remarked on X, "Yes, it makes a difference who the president is." His words highlight the reality that the policies and crackdowns have persisted unabated after President Masoud Pezeshkian took office.

During his campaign, Pezeshkian pledged to voters that he would put an end to hijab patrols and the violence inflicted on women for not complying with compulsory hijab regulations.

Shaqayeq Norouzi, an actress and women’s rights activist based in Barcelona, told Iran International that the Iranian government's actions reveal their fear of women’s defiance.

Rakhshan Bani-Etemad (second from the left), the Iranian filmmaker, and her daughter, actress Baran Kowsari (first on the right), pose alongside colleagues at a film review session in Tehran
Rakhshan Bani-Etemad (second from the left), the Iranian filmmaker, and her daughter, actress Baran Kowsari (first on the right), pose alongside colleagues at a film review session in Tehran

"While nearly a hundred actresses are banned from working, another well-known artist, fully aware of the risks to her safety, takes a bold stand. Such actions are incredibly effective in sustaining hope within the collective psyche of Iranian society, particularly among women. This is precisely why the government responds so quickly and harshly," she said.

The Islamic Republic's campaign against women who resist its repressive laws has seen a surge in recent months. In a similar case, Afsaneh Bayegan, a veteran actress, was recently sentenced to a fine and banned from social media and international travel. The judiciary accused her of "publishing indecent images," a charge often used to enforce moral codes.

The situation took an even darker turn when reports emerged of government forces shooting a young woman named Arezou Badri, over her refusal to comply with hijab laws. The judiciary claimed the incident was unrelated to the hijab, but the context of escalating violence against women tells a different story.

Internationally, the Islamic Republic's actions continue to draw condemnation. On August 25, the United States government expressed deep concern over the incident involving Arezou Badri, emphasizing that Iran's leadership has failed to learn from the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in custody after being detained by the morality police for defying hijab.