about new restrictions on the freedom of movement of women and girls and the manner in which the compulsory dress code is enforced. The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, to amend and repeal all laws which discriminate against women and girls and to refrain from adopting laws and measures that would further undermine the empowerment of women and their participation in the labour force. She urges the Government to ensure freedom of movement of women and girls and to guarantee their fundamental right to physical education, physical activity and sports. Laws and regulations that require women and girls to observe the Islamic dress code infringe on their right to have, adopt and profess or not a religion or belief and do not take into account the various religious components of Iranian society. These laws should be reviewed and the Government should respect the right of anyone to privacy and ensure that security forces refrain from acting as moral guardians of citizens. 91. The Special Rapporteur expresses concern over the persistence of marriage. She recalls that child marriage constitutes a harmful practice and in certain circumstance could even fall under the international legal definition of slavery. Child marriage can never be considered as being in the best interests of the child. The Special Rapporteur urges the Government to prohibit all forms of child marriage and to develop awareness-raising campaigns and programmes on the harmful effects of this practice on the physical and mental health and well-being of girls, targeting households, local authorities, religious leaders, judges and prosecutors, as recommended by the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 92. The situation of recognized and unrecognized religious minorities remains a matter of serious concern. Baha’is continue to be systematically discriminated against, targeted and deprived of their right to a livelihood. The Special Rapporteur urges the authorities to recognize that freedom of religion or belief entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief, and that measures restricting eligibility for civil, political, social or economic privileges or the imposition of special restrictions on the practice of other faiths violate the prohibition of discrimination based on religion or belief and the guarantee of equal protection under article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
about new restrictions on the freedom of movement of women and girls and the manner in which the compulsory dress code is enforced. The Special Rapporteur calls on the Government to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, to amend and repeal all laws which discriminate against women and girls and to refrain from adopting laws and measures that would further undermine the empowerment of women and their participation in the labour force. She urges the Government to ensure freedom of movement of women and girls and to guarantee their fundamental right to physical education, physical activity and sports. Laws and regulations that require women and girls to observe the Islamic dress code infringe on their right to have, adopt and profess or not a religion or belief and do not take into account the various religious components of Iranian society. These laws should be reviewed and the Government should respect the right of anyone to privacy and ensure that security forces refrain from acting as moral guardians of citizens. 91. The Special Rapporteur expresses concern over the persistence of marriage. She recalls that child marriage constitutes a harmful practice and in certain circumstance could even fall under the international legal definition of slavery. Child marriage can never be considered as being in the best interests of the child. The Special Rapporteur urges the Government to prohibit all forms of child marriage and to develop awareness-raising campaigns and programmes on the harmful effects of this practice on the physical and mental health and well-being of girls, targeting households, local authorities, religious leaders, judges and prosecutors, as recommended by the Committee on the Rights of the Child. 92. The situation of recognized and unrecognized religious minorities remains a matter of serious concern. Baha’is continue to be systematically discriminated against, targeted and deprived of their right to a livelihood. The Special Rapporteur urges the authorities to recognize that freedom of religion or belief entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief, and that measures restricting eligibility for civil, political, social or economic privileges or the imposition of special restrictions on the practice of other faiths violate the prohibition of discrimination based on religion or belief and the guarantee of equal protection under article 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
A_HRC_34_65_AEV.docx