Iran: Police tighten control over clothed women

Ten months after the death of Mahza Amini, Iranian police announced on Sunday that they had resumed patrols to punish more women for not wearing the veil in public.

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“As of today, the police, through car and foot patrols, will unfortunately warn and punish those who flout the orders and continue to flout the dress code,” the Home Guard warned. Company.

The announcement comes ten months after the September 16, 2022, death of 22-year-old Iranian Kurd Mahza Amini, who was arrested by morality police accused of violating the Islamic Republic’s dress code. Women wear hijab in public.

In recent days, photographs and videos, which AFP could not independently verify, have been posted on social media showing female police officers admonishing and arresting women who do not wear the veil.

The reform-minded Shark newspaper reported on Sunday that the four women were ordered to “take psychology courses”, “clean hospitals” and were “banned from driving for two years” after being found guilty.

Mahza Amini’s death sparked a wider protest movement with demonstrations in several cities in October and November. Several hundred people, including security forces, were killed and thousands arrested. Seven people were hanged for their involvement in this movement.

Questioned by demonstrators, the morality police have largely disappeared from the streets in recent months. Especially in Tehran and big cities more women go out with their heads covered.

Since the beginning of this year, authorities have made a series of efforts to track down violators of the ban, from closing businesses, particularly restaurants, to installing cameras on the streets.

At the same time, the Justice Department and the government proposed a bill in May to “support the culture of hijab and chastity” to “protect society” and “strengthen family life.”

The text, which has sparked heated debate, recommends strengthening sanctions against “any person who removes their veil in public or on the Internet”.

The morality police began patrolling in 2006 after being created by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution under ultra-conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (2005-2013) to “spread dignity and hijab culture”.

Two months before the demonstration began, ultra-conservative President Ibrahim Raisi called in July 2022 to “mobilize all institutions to strengthen the law on the veil,” declaring that “the enemies of Iran and Islam want to undermine Iran and Islam.” Cultural and Religious Values ​​of the Society”.