Iran’s government has officially published the contentious “Chastity and Hijab” law on November 30, 2024, following months of deliberations between the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) and the Guardian Council. The law, first drafted by the regime’s judiciary over a year and a half ago in the aftermath of the 2022 uprisings, includes 74 articles divided into five chapters. Originally titled “Support for the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,” it was introduced to the Majlis by previous administration.
Implementation Amid Controversy
On November 27, 2024, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, announced in a press conference that the law would take effect on December 13, 2024. He claimed it does not involve “morality patrols or imprisonment.” However, a review of the text reveals that it empowers various government institutions to enforce strict hijab compliance measures that infringe on individual freedoms and human rights. Institutions tasked with these responsibilities include the Ministry of Culture and Guidance, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, municipalities, and the Ministry of Science.
Human Rights Violations Embedded in Chapter Three
Chapter Three of the law has drawn significant criticism for mandating an extensive crackdown on noncompliance with hijab regulations. The law violates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and conventions safeguarding women’s rights. For example, Clause 8 of Article 16 requires municipalities and village councils to collaborate with entities such as the regime’s Propaganda Organization, the Ministry of Sports and Youth, and the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. These bodies are instructed to ensure the active presence of “virtue promoters” in public spaces like parks, cultural centers, and urban transport hubs to enforce hijab laws and support compliance.
Penalties and Broader Implications
The law imposes severe penalties on individuals and entities that fail to support its implementation. Government employees, business owners, and others who do not act against those opposing mandatory hijab risk suspension from public service for five to six years, fines equivalent to two to six months of income, or other financial penalties.
To suppress potential protests, the law authorizes the Ministry of Intelligence, the police intelligence unit (FARAJA), and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization to enforce strict measures against noncompliance.
Global Reaction
Human rights organizations have denounced the law as “criminal and inhumane,” emphasizing its discriminatory nature and its role in repressing Iranian women and stifling societal dissent. Iran HRM has urged international organizations and human rights bodies to condemn the legislation and support Iranian women in their struggle for equality and freedom.
The implementation of this law signals a new phase in the Iranian regime’s efforts to suppress dissent, particularly targeting women and girls who have been at the forefront of protests.
