New Committee Formed in Iran to Harass Female University Students

Iranian authorities have established a committee tasked with intimidating and harassing female students at several universities, including Tabriz University in the country’s northwest.

On November 29, the Telegram channel of the Student Union Councils reported the creation of the informal parallel institution called "Afad," an acronym for "Social Cultural Action at University." 

Afad has been sending SMS messages to mainly female students, accusing them of violating "hijab regulations" and demanding they appear before the committee for questioning, the councils said.

The student organization said that Afad is using a list provided by university security officers.

Student activists have protested the increased security measures put in place on campuses across the country and stricter enforcement of the mandatory headscarf law since the start of the academic year.

These measures include hundreds of summonses to disciplinary committees, disciplinary actions, temporary suspensions, and expulsions of students and faculty members.