Iranian president says morality police will no longer ‘bother’ women
An Iranian police force stands on a street during the revival of morality police in Tehran, Iran, July 16, 2023. (Photo by Majid Asgaripour/WANA via Reuters)
Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian has announced that the country’s morality police will no longer confront women over the mandatory hijab headscarf, in a potential shift from the enforcement policies that have drawn international criticism.
Pezeshkian’s remarks come shortly after the United Nations raised concerns over the violent treatment of women for dress code violations in Iran.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Pezeshkian stated, “The morality police were not supposed to confront (women). I will follow up so they don’t bother (them),” addressing a female journalist who had questioned the continued presence of police patrols enforcing the hijab laws.
Second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death
Pezeshkian’s comments coincide with the second anniversary of the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being detained for allegedly not wearing the hijab properly. Her death sparked nationwide protests and drew international condemnation.
The U.N.’s fact-finding mission recently warned that Iranian authorities had intensified efforts to suppress women’s rights since the protests, expanding surveillance and punishing women for violating the dress code.
Pezeshkian’s response to women’s concerns
During his first press conference since taking office in July, Pezeshkian responded to a female reporter who said she had taken detours to avoid police vans. The reporter wore her headscarf loosely, with some hair visible, a noticeable shift from the stricter dress standards enforced at previous government events.
Pezeshkian’s statement was broadcast live on state television, and the exchange between the president and the journalist quickly went viral online. Some female reporters at the event were also seen wearing looser head coverings, signaling a more relaxed approach to the country’s strict dress code.
UN report says women still face punishment
Despite Pezeshkian’s comments, a U.N. report released last week painted a stark picture of ongoing repressive measures in Iran. According to the report, Iranian security forces continue to escalate violence against women who defy the hijab laws. The U.N. stated, “Security forces have further escalated pre-existing patterns of physical violence, including beating, kicking, and slapping women and girls who are perceived as failing to comply with the mandatory hijab laws.”
The report also raised concerns about a proposed “Hijab and Chastity” bill, currently under review by Iran’s Guardian Council, which could impose harsher penalties for women who do not comply with hijab regulations.
Potential penalties include hefty financial fines, longer prison sentences, and restrictions on employment and education opportunities.
