Intensified repression of women under the pretext of hijab; 30 million Iranian women facing charges for non-compliance and improper veiling
In the upcoming Persian year, individuals caught not wearing a veil in public spaces will face a fine of 3 million tomans, as announced by a member of the regime’s parliament from Isfahan. This penalty will be enforced through a system directly linked to individuals’ bank accounts, triggered by surveillance from CCTV cameras or online monitoring. (The state-run eghtesadnews.com, March 11, 2024)
The imposition of this fine was reportedly approved by the Legal Committee of the mullahs’ Parliament as part of the Hijab Bill, following multiple reviews by the Guardian Council. Consequently, the judiciary will not have jurisdiction over this matter; instead, it will be the responsibility of the police to enforce fines. Under this system, police officers will identify violations and, upon confirmation, deduct the specified amount from the offender’s bank account using their national code and personal information. (The state-run Tabnak.ir website, March 11, 2024)
The implementation of this measure signifies an intensified crackdown on individuals failing to adhere to the compulsory hijab laws, further restricting women’s personal freedoms in Iran.
One of the bill’s drafters provided insight into the specifics of the punishment for not wearing hijab outlined in the legislation, stating: “The initial offense of not wearing hijab incurs a fine of three million tomans. Additionally, improper clothing, as defined in Article 49 of the bill, carries the same fine of three million tomans.
The law provides clear definitions of what constitutes improper attire, such as exposure of legs or neck. Upon detection of such violations, the designated fine is automatically deducted from the offender’s bank account. However, individuals may contest the fine if they believe it was unjustly applied due to insufficient funds in their account, in which case the deducted amount will be reimbursed.” (The state-run Tabnak.ir website, March 11, 2024)
Aziz Jafari, the commander of the IRGC’s Baqiyatollah Garrison, delivered a speech to the “Promoters of Virtue and Prohibitors of Vice” a week after the election, stating, “We aim to neutralize the sedition of removing the Hijab as soon as possible by expanding our actions.”
One of the regime officials stated that 30 million women would be confronted with charges related to unveiled and improperly veiled offenses. He mentioned that due to the government’s financial constraints, it intends to levy fines on individuals for improper veiling to generate revenue.
Mohammad Sadegh Javadi Hessar, in an interview with the state-run Rouydad24.ir website, voiced his apprehension regarding the enforcement of coercive measures and financial penalties under the guise of hijab enforcement, cautioning that such decisions could exacerbate societal tensions.
In the months preceding the parliamentary elections, there were no reports of coercion under the pretext of hijab. The spokesperson of the Guardian Council even encouraged unveiled women to partake in the elections, and in the demonstrations commemorating the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution. As is customary, the camera singled out women deemed “improperly veiled” or even “unveiled” according to government standards.
Javadi Hessar, condemning the government’s actions, remarked, “The government’s corruption knows no bounds. One day, they exploit revenue from petrochemicals; the next, they target the steel industry. They manipulate people’s investments, plunder their savings, and now they intend to extort millions in fines from the populace.”
He contends that a significant portion of the population, estimated at 30 million women, faces accusations of “improper hijab” or “lack of hijab.” He warns that failure to address this issue prudently will undoubtedly escalate into widespread social unrest. (The state-run Rouydad24.ir website, March 11, 2024)
The announcement of this news has sparked numerous questions and concerns. The direct deduction of money from individuals’ accounts bypasses the country’s judicial system and undermines the principle of judicial justice. Furthermore, the act of emptying people’s accounts or confiscating their vehicles over hijab-related issues, under the guise of traffic surveillance, blatantly contradicts Article 22 of the Constitution, which safeguards people’s dignity, lives, property, rights, housing, and employment.
According to the state-run Sharq Daily, in cases involving significant and antisocial offenses, we typically observe a lengthy and intricate judicial procedure rooted in civil and criminal law. This process is designed to safeguard the rights of individuals and entities, ensuring that both natural and legal persons are afforded due process and that private rights are upheld. However, the recent adoption of a method by parliament raises concerns as it appears to challenge the very legal foundations upon which our judicial system is built.
The method by which executors or “judicial enforcement officers” will collect evidence, render judgments, and enforce them without judicial oversight raises significant concerns. It remains unclear how individuals’ accounts can be emptied or their vehicles, often essential for earning a livelihood, seized without undergoing the necessary legal process and judicial scrutiny to establish the facts of a case. (The state-run eghtesadnews.com, March 11, 2024)
