Home » News » Iranian ‘Morality Police’ Resume Controversial Dress Code Patrols, Sparking Outrage

Iranian ‘Morality Police’ Resume Controversial Dress Code Patrols, Sparking Outrage

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.
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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.

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