On Monday, Iran’s newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, announced that the country’s morality police would no longer harass women over the wearing of the mandatory hijab headscarf. The comments came during a press conference on the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman whose death in police custody in 2022 sparked nationwide protests. Amini had been arrested by the morality police for allegedly wearing an “ill-fitting” hijab, which led to her death in custody, igniting one of the largest protests in Iran’s history.
During his press conference, Pezeshkian, who took office in July, emphasized that morality police should no longer confront women on the streets over hijab compliance, stating, “I will follow up so they don’t bother [women].” His remarks were made in response to a female reporter’s question about continued police presence in the streets, despite previous promises of reform. The president’s comments, broadcast live on state television, signal a potential shift in Iran’s enforcement of the strict dress code for women, although many remain skeptical about the extent of the promised reforms.
Pezeshkian’s statements coincide with growing calls for change following the protests triggered by Amini’s death. The demonstrations, often led by women under the slogan “Woman, Life, Freedom,” were met with violent crackdowns from Iranian security forces, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of protesters and the arrests of thousands.
Despite Pezeshkian’s statements, the United Nations recently reported that Iranian authorities have intensified their efforts to suppress women’s rights since the protests. A report published last week by the UN found that women in Iran continue to face severe repression for non-compliance with the mandatory hijab laws. The report documented incidents of physical violence against women, including beatings, and highlighted the use of the death penalty against women activists.
The UN expressed concerns that while Iranian leadership promises reforms, the situation on the ground remains dire for women. Iran’s government has enhanced surveillance of hijab compliance in both public and private spaces, and security forces have increased the use of physical violence, including kicking and slapping, against women and girls seen as violating hijab laws.
The UN also noted that Iran’s Guardian Council is in the final stages of approving a “Hijab and Chastity” bill, which would impose harsher penalties on women who do not comply with the dress code, including heavy fines, longer prison sentences, and restrictions on employment and travel.
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