Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian has questioned the appropriateness of a new law that would toughen penalties for women who do not wear the Islamic headscarf, a law that has sparked controversy since the death of young Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini two years ago, Agence France-Presse reported.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women in Iran have been required to cover their hair in public.
But since the rise of the protest movement that began after the death of Amini, who died in custody after being arrested for violating the Islamic country’s strict dress code, more and more women have taken to the streets without covering their hair.
The new law, approved by parliament, imposes harsher penalties for women who go out with their hair uncovered. It must be signed by the Iranian president on December 13 to officially enter into force.
“As the person responsible for promulgating this law, I have very reservations about it,” Pezeshkian said in an interview with state television last night.
The law, titled “Hijab and Chastity,” provides for fines in case of repeated violations. Fines can reach up to 20 average monthly salaries for women who do not cover their hair properly or who go out without covering their hair in public or on social media. The fines must be paid within 10 days, otherwise the violators may be banned from leaving the country or denied access to public services, including driver’s licenses.
According to the Iranian president, who took office in July, with this law “we risk losing a lot” in society.
During his election campaign, Pezeshkian promised to remove the morality police, which also controls the wearing of hijabs, from the streets. This unit, which is also behind the arrest of Mahsa Amini, has not been on the streets since the demonstrations began in September 2022, but has never been officially dismantled by the authorities.
Pezeshkian, who was a member of parliament at the time of the young woman’s death, sharply criticized the police for this case.
Illustrative Photo by Mikhail Nilov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/side-view-of-a-woman-wearing-headscarf-7676531/
