In a move to intensify the enforcement of mandatory hijab rules, Iran has relaunched patrols by the “morality police” months after nationwide arrests were carried out following Anti-Hijab protests, as reported by Al Jazeera. Saeid Montazeralmahdi, the spokesperson for the Iranian law enforcement force, confirmed that police patrols were now operational on foot and with vehicles, cracking down on individuals whose clothing choices are deemed inappropriate in the Islamic Republic. According to Montazeralmahdi, the morality police will issue warnings and, if necessary, introduce individuals who persist in norm-breaking behavior to the judicial system, emphasizing the consequences of deviating from the established norms.
The police expect everyone to adhere to accepted dress codes, enabling officers to allocate more time to other vital police missions. The officers are primarily tasked with cautioning women, and occasionally men, to rectify their attire, ranging from adjusting headscarves to demanding a change of clothing to something more loose-fitting and considered suitable. Women found to be in violation of the rules could face arrest and be taken to re-education facilities operated by the police. This development comes approximately ten months after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being detained for an alleged dress code violation.
Amini’s death triggered widespread protests across the country, during which the presence of morality police was noticeably reduced. Following the protests, Iranian authorities largely refrained from confrontational methods of enforcing mandatory hijab laws that were implemented shortly after the country’s 1979 Islamic revolution. However, there now appears to be a gradual shift in approach. In recent months, the police have utilized surveillance cameras to identify individuals violating the hijab rules. Offenders receive warnings, fines, or are summoned to court. Those found in violation of the dress code while in their vehicles may have their cars impounded.
Businesses have also faced increasing scrutiny, with numerous cafes, restaurants, and shopping centers being threatened with closure for serving women with loosely worn hijabs. Several high-profile hijab-related incidents have occurred in the past week. The authorities released a video showing police officers, accompanied by a camera crew, approaching women of all ages and instructing them to adjust their hijabs. The video includes close-ups of the women’s unblurred faces, along with an animation indicating that they have been identified and referred to the judiciary.
“Either you fix your hijab or you enter the van,” a distorted voice warns a young woman in the video. Another incident involved the arrest of actor Mohamad Sadeghi, who had posted a reaction video criticizing a female officer for forcibly restraining a woman over her hijab. The Iranian government and parliament are currently working on legislation to strengthen hijab controls. However, conservative opponents argue that the proposed bill is too lenient. The ongoing efforts to reinforce the mandatory hijab rules have sparked debates and raised concerns about individual freedoms and human rights in Iran.