Iran Hijab Bill: Women Could Face Up To 10 Years In Jail For Dress Code Violations

Iran’s Parliament Has Passed A Controversial Bill That Would Increase Prison Terms And Fines For Women And Girls Who Break Its Strict Dress Code. Those Dressed “Inappropriately” Face Up To...

Zaheer Hussain
September 21, 2023
328

Zaheer Hussain
September 21, 2023
328

Iran’s Parliament Has Passed A Controversial Bill That Would Increase Prison Terms And Fines For Women And Girls Who Break Its Strict Dress Code. Those Dressed “Inappropriately” Face Up To 10 Years In Jail Under The Bill, For Which A Three-year “Trial” Was Agreed.

Iran Hijab Bill – Women Could Face Up To 10 Years In Jail For Dress Code Violations

Why In The News?
• Iran’s Parliament Has Passed A Controversial Bill That Would Increase Prison Terms And Fines For Women And Girls Who Break Its Strict Dress Code. Those Dressed “Inappropriately” Face Up To 10 Years In Jail Under The Bill, For Which A Three-year “Trial” Was Agreed.
• The Bill, Known As The “Hijab And Chastity Bill,” Was Approved By A Parliamentary Vote Of 152 To 34 And Now Needs Approval Of Guardian Council, A Conservative Body Of Clerics And Jurists With The Power To Veto The Legislation If It Is Deemed Inconsistent With The Constitution And Sharia Law.

What Does The Bill Say?
• Under The Provisions Of This Bill, Women And Girls Who Are Deemed To Be Dressed “Inappropriately” In Public Places Could Be Subjected To A “Fourth Degree” Punishment.
• According To Iran’s Penal Code, This Means A Prison Sentence Ranging From Five To 10 Years And A Fine Of Between 180 Million And 360 Million Rials ($3,651-$7,302).
• Additionally, Individuals Found Guilty Of “Promoting Nudity” Or “Making Fun Of The Hijab” On Media Platforms Or Social Networks Will Also Be Subject To Fines.

• Furthermore, Vehicle Owners Can Be Penalized If A Female Driver Or Passenger Is Not Adhering To The Strict Dress Code.
• Those Who Promote Violations Of The Dress Code “In An Organised Manner” Or “In Cooperation With Foreign Or Hostile Governments, Media, Groups, Or Organisations” May Face Imprisonment For A Period Ranging From Five To 10 Years.

Reactions Towards The Bill
• Earlier This Month, Eight Independent UN Human Rights Experts Issued A Joint Statement Warning That The Bill “Could Be Described As A Form Of Gender Apartheid” And Accused Iranian Authorities Of Governing Through Systemic Discrimination To Suppress Women And Girls.

Why Was The Bill Taken Up Now?
• This Controversial Legislation Follows A Series Of Protests Last Year In Response To The Death In Custody Of Mahsa Amini, Who Was Arrested By Morality Police For An Alleged Improper Hijab.

• During These Nationwide Demonstrations Against The Clerical Establishment, Hundreds Of People Were Reportedly Killed In A Security Force Crackdown, And Women Protested By Burning Or Waving Their Headscarves.
• Despite These Recent Developments, A Growing Number Of Women And Girls In Iran Have Chosen To Forgo Covering Their Hair In Public, Even In The Face Of The Resurgence Of The Morality Police And Increased Surveillance.

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Zaheer Hussain

Senior Lecturer General Studies, SSBCrackExams, Passionate Teacher, Masters in Public Administration, Expertise in Polity, History and Current Affairs. Loves Food and traveling Solo.