In Iran, the notorious guardians of public morals are once again taking to the streets to enforce the headscarf. Across the country, vice squads are now back in action with patrols on foot and in vehicles, Isna news agency reported on Sunday, citing a police spokesman.
In recent months, many women in the country of nearly 90 million have ignored the Islamic dress code – also as a sign of silent protest.
After mass demonstrations, the moral guardians disappeared
After the demonstrations against the political and religious leadership last autumn, the notorious units disappeared from the streets of the major cities. In the meantime, justice even pointed to the dissolution of the vice squad. The protests were sparked by the death of Iranian Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022. The young woman died in police custody after being arrested for violating a dress code.
The security apparatus then brutally suppressed the protests that followed and executed seven demonstrators. Thousands were arrested. The leadership also had a bill drafted that parliament will soon vote on. The law provides for new and tough penalties for violations of the headscarf obligation – initially several warnings, for example by text message. Fines, professional bans and in extreme cases even imprisonment threaten.
Monitoring also on the Internet
Surveillance technology should primarily be used for control purposes. Photos of women without headscarves published on the internet would have consequences. Restaurants, museums or shopping arcades should expect closure if the hair covering obligation is violated there.
The law has been the subject of controversy for months and has been criticized from many quarters. Influential conservatives are demanding even tougher sentences. Islamic dress code is a religious duty and violation of it is not an offence. Reform politicians, on the other hand, called for easing in response to the social unrest.
protest for decades
Headscarves have been compulsory in Iran for over 40 years as a result of the Islamic Revolution. Decades ago, countless women demonstrated against it. The headscarf requirement is one of the ideological pillars of the Islamic Republic. This is one of the reasons why a relaxation or abolition is considered unlikely.
Source: Krone
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