In Iran, video cameras are installed in public places and on the streets to “identify and punish” women who do without hijabs or who wear them casually, informed Reuters, citing an Iranian police statement. Previously, the morality police monitored compliance with the standards, but it was abolished after large-scale protests.
It says the measure aims to “prevent opposition to the hijab law”. Police said once offenders are identified, “consequence warning text messages” will be sent to them. In their new statement, law enforcement also urges business owners to “seriously enforce social standards through rigorous audits.”
Furthermore, the Iranian Interior Ministry pointed out that the hijab is “one of the civilizational foundations of the Iranian nation” and “one of the practical principles of the Islamic Republic”.
Many Iranian women abandoned the hijab after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurd. In September 2022, she was arrested by the vice squad for allegedly casually wearing a hijab. After interrogation, Amini fell into a coma and soon died in hospital. Relatives say she was severely beaten. The girl’s death became the reason for mass protests, during which women tore off their hijabs in the streets.
Since 1979, Sharia has been in force in Iran, which requires women to cover their hair and wear long, loose clothing that hides their figure. Violators risk public censure, fines and arrest. In 2019, an Iranian human rights activist who criticized the forced wearing of the hijab was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 148 lashes. In 2022, a resident of the country was sentenced to 100 lashes for refusing to wear the hijab.
Also, the country’s authorities encourage citizens to “not neglect” the women seen in the street, dressed “not according to the rules”. For this reason, attacks often occur in the country: for example, last week, a man threw yoghurt at two women in a store.
