Hijab Law of Iran: There are continuous protests against hijab in Iran. Amid growing domestic and international protests regarding hijab, Iran has banned the implementation of its new hijab law. Iran’s National Security Council has blocked the implementation of the controversial hijab and purity law that came into force last Friday (December 13).
Iran’s President Masoud Pejeshkian had said regarding the Hijab law that this law is vague and needs reform. The President had indicated that the provisions of this new Hijab and Purity Law may be reconsidered before implementing it.
Provision for strict punishment in the new hijab law
It is noteworthy that Iran’s new Hijab and Purity Law provides for strict punishment for women and girls who do not completely cover their hair, arms and lower legs. In the new Hijab law, there is a provision of heavy fine and jail sentence of up to 15 years on such women and girls.
Protests taking place at domestic and international level
Many human rights organizations including Amnesty International have strongly condemned Iran’s new hijab law. Amnesty has accused Iranian officials of trying to ‘further strengthen the oppressive system of repression’. At the same time, Iran’s former Vice President of Women and Family Affairs, Masoumeh Ebtekar also criticized this law and called it an indictment of half of Iran’s population.
The President had promised to respect personal freedom
During the presidential election earlier this year, Pezeshkian expressed her disagreement with the government’s treatment of women regarding the hijab. At the same time, he promised to respect the personal freedom of the people, which became very popular among the Iranian youth.
More than 300 Iranian activists, writers and journalists recently signed a statement calling on President Pezeshkian to keep his promise, calling the proposed hijab law ‘illegal’, the BBC reports.
Also read: In Iran, a woman performed without wearing hijab, posted the video of the song on YouTube and you will not believe what happened next.
