headscarf obligation
Iran announces return of notorious morality police
A woman walks down a street in Tehran with her hair loose. It’s actually forbidden in Iran. photo
© Arne Bänsch/dpa
In autumn 2022 there were massive protests in Iran. Since then, women have repeatedly shown themselves without headscarves – in protest. But now the guardians of morals are to return. What does this mean for women?
Iran’s authorities have announced the return of the notorious moral guardians to enforce the headscarf requirement. As of today, units of the responsible morality police are to take action against violators across the country with patrols on foot and in cars, the Isna news agency reported, citing a spokesman for the Iranian police.
After the massive protests in autumn 2022 against the country’s political and religious leadership, the notorious units had disappeared from the streets of the major cities. The demonstrations were triggered by the death of the Iranian Kurd Jina Mahsa Amini. The young Woman died in police custody after being arrested for breaking Islamic dress code.
Iran’s security apparatus brutally suppressed the protests. In recent months, many women have demonstratively ignored the headscarf requirement, also as a sign of silent protest. The state reacted, among other things, with a controversial draft law that is to be voted on in parliament shortly. The law provides new and harsh penalties for violations.