Iran plans to reform controversial hijab restrictions amid growing dissent
- Iran's parliament has recently approved a strict new law imposing enhanced dress restrictions, impacting both men and women's attire.
- This legislation includes severe penalties and has been criticized for potentially exacerbating already tense social conditions.
- The enactment of this law may lead to increased civil unrest as public sentiment opposes such repressive measures.
Iran has recently enacted a stringent 'chastity and hijab' law, approved by the parliament and the Guardian Council, in a move that tightens already strict dress codes. This legislation introduces harsher penalties for various dress violations, defined in detail for both men and women, and establishes a system of fines as well as restrictions on social media activity. The legislation, part of a trial run spanning three years, follows a turbulent aftermath after previous protests against dress codes intensified after the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, leading to nationwide civil unrest. Following the controversial new law's approval, key Iranian officials suggested that the government would consider reforming it. Mohammad Mehdi Tabatabai, a deputy in the President's office, indicated that efforts would be made to prevent the implementation of laws that harm public interests. Despite this, the law enforces strict measures, including financial penalties and potential prison sentences for dress code violations, which may further complicate the relationship between the government and the public. Critics argue that the law reflects a significant miscalculation in understanding public sentiments toward dress codes and personal freedoms. Sina Toossi of the Center for International Policy warned that seeking to enforce such policies in today's Iran could provoke more significant resistance and destabilize the existing social fabric, while the government expects these measures to preserve traditional norms as stated in their objectives. The situation is compounded by the recent history of widespread protests against the Iranian regime, sparked by various factors, including dissatisfaction with the harsh enforcement of dress codes. The government's fear of escalated public dissent continues as the morality police were initially disbanded following protests but later reinstated, highlighting a cycle of repression that critics believe could lead to further unrest among citizens demanding greater freedoms.