Iran Brings Moral Guardians Back to the Streets At least four dead after flash floods in the US state of Pennsylvania

In Iran, the notorious guardians of public morals are once again taking to the streets to enforce the headscarf. Across the country, vice squads are now taking action against violations involving foot and vehicle patrols, Isna news agency reported on Sunday, citing a police spokesman. In recent months, many women in the country of nearly 90 million have ignored the Islamic dress code – also as a sign of silent protest.

After the demonstrations against the political and religious leadership last autumn, the notorious units disappeared from the streets of the major cities. In the meantime, the judiciary even pointed to the dissolution of the vice squad. The protests were sparked by the death of Iranian Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini in September 2022. The young woman died in police custody after being arrested for violating a dress code.

The security apparatus then brutally crushed the protests and executed seven demonstrators. Thousands were arrested. The leadership also had a bill drafted that parliament will soon vote on. The law provides for new and tough penalties for violations of the headscarf obligation – initially several warnings, for example by text message. There are threats of fines, professional bans and in extreme cases even prison sentences.

Surveillance technology should primarily be used for control purposes. Photos of women without headscarves published on the internet would have consequences. Restaurants, museums or shopping arcades must consider closure if the hair covering obligation is violated there.

The law has been the subject of controversy for months and has been criticized from many quarters. Influential conservatives are demanding even harsher sentences. Islamic dress code is a religious duty and violation of it is not an offence. Reform politicians, on the other hand, called for easing in response to the social unrest.

An actor has now been arrested after criticism of the violent enforcement of the headscarf obligation. The actor Mohammed Sadeghi had published a video in which he criticized the violent crackdown on women who do not follow the dress code.

Headscarves have been compulsory in Iran for over 40 years as a result of the Islamic Revolution. Decades ago, countless women demonstrated against it. The headscarf requirement is one of the ideological pillars of the Islamic Republic. This is one of the reasons why a relaxation or abolition is considered unlikely. (sda/dpa)