Iran has intensified its dress code enforcement with a new law imposing severe penalties for hijab violations, consolidating past restrictions and threatening employment and educational opportunities. The 71-article law escalates punishments for online and public dress violations, raising concerns about women’s rights and authorities’ increasing control.
In a significant escalation of restrictions, Iranian authorities have introduced a new law amplifying punishments for violations of hijab regulations. The recently enacted “Protection of the Family through Promoting the Culture of Hijab and Chastity” law, recently approved by the Guardian Council, consolidates existing measures and introduces harsh new penalties for offenders. This includes fines and extended prison sentences while also jeopardizing employment and educational prospects for those who defy the compulsory wearing of hijab. Drawing criticism from human rights advocates, the law appears to counter the ongoing Woman, Life, Freedom movement, intensifying the struggle against an already oppressive regime rather than initiating meaningful change. Comprising 71 articles, it reinforces the government’s authority over women and poses significant threats to businesses that fail to uphold these rigorous dress codes. Penalties escalate dramatically for repeated offenses, with the law extending its reach into digital space by punishing online behavior that defies hijab mandates. The Iranian parliament’s decision to delegate the drafting of this law bypasses thorough discussion, reflecting a troubling trend toward authoritarian legislation, raising concerns about the future of women’s rights and freedom of expression in Iran.
This law emerges amid a complex backdrop of socio-political unrest in Iran, particularly influenced by the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, which has been a response to the strict enforcement of hijab laws and broader calls for women’s rights. The Iranian government, aiming to reinforce its traditional values in the face of rising public dissent, is using these legislative measures as a tool for control. The law outlines stringent guidelines on clothing deemed ‘improper,’ coupled with severe repercussions not only for individuals but also businesses and public entities that do not comply. Such actions indicate a move towards more pervasive surveillance and repression, especially concerning public and online conduct related to dress and social norms, further tightening the grip on personal freedoms.
The newly implemented Hijab and Chastity law marks a dark chapter in Iran’s human rights landscape, as it imposes more severe restrictions and harsher punishments on women and anyone seen as opposing the regime’s conservative dress criteria. As Iranian authorities bolster punitive actions against what they define as ‘improper’ behavior, they risk igniting greater resistance among citizens determined to fight for personal freedoms. The international community’s reaction and engagement will be pivotal as the situation continues to evolve.
Original Source: www.hrw.org
