Iranian Police Resume Controversial Patrols to Enforce Dress Codes
Iranian police have announced that they will resume controversial patrols to ensure women obey dress codes and cover their hair in public, according to state media reports. The “morality police” will return to the streets to enforce Iran’s hijab laws, a spokesman said on Sunday. This decision comes 10 months after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who died in custody following her arrest in Tehran for allegedly breaking the dress code.
Amini’s death sparked massive national protests, leading to the suspension of the patrols. However, Islamic hardliners have been demanding their resumption for some time. Under Iranian law, women are required to cover their hair with a hijab and wear long, loose-fitting clothing to disguise their figures. The morality police unit is responsible for ensuring compliance with these rules and detaining individuals who are perceived to be ”improperly” dressed.
During the patrols, officers will first issue warnings to women who are not complying with the rules, according to police spokesman Saeed Montazerolmahdi. If these warnings are ignored, legal action may be taken. Amini, 22, was arrested by the morality police last September and accused of wearing her hijab “improperly”. She collapsed after being taken to a detention center and reports suggested that she was subjected to physical abuse.
Amini’s death enraged millions of Iranians and led to months of violent anti-government protests across the country, resulting in the deaths of nearly 600 protesters, including several state executions. In the aftermath of the protests, many women stopped wearing hijabs altogether, marking the biggest challenge to the rule of the clerics in Iran since the 1979 revolution. However, the Iranian authorities responded by implementing stricter punishments, including the closure of businesses that did not comply with the hijab laws.
While the protests drew significant numbers of Iranians, there are still individuals who staunchly support the strict dress code. Earlier this year, a video emerged showing a man throwing yogurt in the face of two unveiled women. The man’s actions were met with outrage by bystanders, and he was later arrested, along with the women. Iran has had various forms of ”morality police” since the revolution, with the current version, known as the Guidance Patrol (Gasht-e Ershad), beginning their patrols in 2006.
It remains unclear how many individuals work for the morality police, but they have access to weapons, detention centers, and ”re-education centers”. In response to Iran’s violent crackdown on protesters, the UK and other Western countries imposed sanctions on the morality police and other top security figures last year. The resumption of the patrols is likely to reignite tensions and further fuel the ongoing debate over personal freedoms and the role of the state in Iran.
How might the resumption of morality police patrols impact the ongoing debate on women’s rights and personal freedom in Iran
Fatally injured in February 2021 after being detained by the morality police for allegedly removing her hijab in public. Her death sparked outrage and led to widespread protests across the country. The suspension of the patrols was seen as a response to the public outcry.
The decision to resume the controversial patrols has faced criticism from human rights activists who argue that it violates individuals’ rights to personal freedom and expression. They argue that it is unfair and oppressive to enforce strict dress codes on women and that it perpetuates gender inequality.
The resumption of these patrols comes at a time when Iran is already facing significant challenges, including economic problems and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Critics argue that the government should prioritize addressing these issues instead of focusing on enforcing strict dress codes.
However, Islamic hardliners argue that the dress code is a crucial aspect of maintaining the country’s Islamic values and culture. They view it as a necessary measure to preserve morality and ensure social order.
The enforcement of strict dress codes has been a contentious issue in Iran for many years. While some women continue to adhere to the rules voluntarily, others have been pushing for greater freedom and choice when it comes to their clothing. The resumption of the patrols is likely to reignite this debate and further escalate tensions between different segments of Iranian society.
It remains to be seen how the resumption of these patrols will be received by the Iranian people and whether it will lead to further protests and unrest. The issue of women’s rights and personal freedom in Iran continues to be a contentious and complex matter that requires thoughtful consideration and dialogue.