On Monday, December 2, 2024, the Iranian judiciary and parliament convened a joint session. The Judiciary Chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, and the Parliamentary Speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stressed the implementation of the “Hijab and Chastity Law.” (IRNA)
Ejei remarked in the session, “All branches and organizations are responsible for addressing the current situation visible on our streets. We must act.” He further noted, “The state of chastity and hijab in our streets today is neither logical nor acceptable. A law has been established, and it must be enforced. If amendments or clarifications are needed, it is the responsibility of parliament to act accordingly.”
Ghalibaf reinforced this stance, asserting, “Hijab is undoubtedly a religious and legal obligation. Various branches and organizations must prioritize this issue.” He had previously announced on November 27, 2024, that the law would be formally implemented on December 13.
Details of the Controversial Law
The so-called “Chastity and Hijab” law, consisting of 74 articles organized into five chapters, was finalized after numerous exchanges between the mullahs’ parliament, the Guardian Council, and the Expediency Discernment Council.
Officially titled the “Family Protection Law by Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab,” the full text of the law was published by state-controlled media on December 1, 2024.
The endorsement of this new law by the heads of the judiciary and legislative branches comes amid widespread public backlash following the publication of its final text in the media. Many have described it as “shameful,” “astonishing,” “gender apartheid,” and “a tool of intimidation for repression.”
Penalties for Non-Compliance
This law imposes severe penalties on women who appear in public or virtual spaces without compulsory hijab more than four times, labeling their actions as “promotion of nudity, indecency, unveiling, or improper attire.” Sanctions include:
– Monetary Fines: Fines start at 330 million rials (approximately $471), escalating to 500 million rials (approximately $714) for repeated offenses.
– Travel Restrictions: A two-year ban on leaving the country.
– Digital Restrictions: A six-month to two-year prohibition from social media platforms.
Women opposing compulsory hijab face fines ranging from 50 million to 1.65 billion rials (approximately $71 to $2,357) for their first four violations in public.
Targeting Young Girls and Surveillance Measures
– Girls aged 9 to 15 are mandated to observe the hijab and face penalties, including fines and “educational measures,” for violations.
– According to Article 66 of this law, if a 13-year-old child mocks the regime’s compulsory hijab two or more times while using social media, they will be sentenced to imprisonment for 3 months to 1 year in a ‘correctional and training center,’ a fine ranging from approximately $471 to $714, or other preventive and corrective measures.
– CCTV footage from residential complexes must be shared with authorities, with fines imposed for non-compliance.
– Fines must be paid within 10 days of the final verdict, and failure to do so will result in various restrictions on access to government services, including the issuance or renewal of passports, vehicle registration or license plate changes, permits for leaving the country, as well as the issuance or renewal of driver’s licenses.
– Drivers of ride-hailing services are obligated to report passengers’ compliance with compulsory hijab.
– Furthermore, under Article 71 of this law, the government is required to allocate an annual budget to the State Security Force for the provision of cameras for this program.
– According to this law, the presence of opponents of compulsory hijab in both real and virtual spaces will result in penalties, including for owners of online and offline businesses, administrators of groups, tours, camps, and platforms for audio or visual content in the virtual space.
Public Backlash and Economic Concerns
The law has faced harsh criticism for its disproportionate penalties and potential socioeconomic impact. The daily Etemad wrote: With Iran’s minimum wage hovering around 7 million rials (approximately $10) and over 30% of the population living below the poverty line, the fines exacerbate economic hardships.
Critics also highlight the disparity between the harsh sentences for hijab violations and lenient penalties for crimes such as kidnapping or drug trafficking.
A Criminal and Inhumane Law
Maryam Rajavi, President-elect of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), condemned the law as “criminal and inhumane,” stating:
“The misogynistic ‘Chastity and Hijab’ law is criminal and inhumane and is strongly condemned.
“Through this oppressive law and by employing repressive forces, Khamenei seeks to subjugate society, particularly women who are at the forefront of the struggle against religious fascism. Neither daily executions nor misogynistic laws will remedy this regime’s predicament.
“Once again, I reiterate, ‘No to compulsory hijab, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory governance.’”
To suppress protests and prevent the spread of dissent among women and the broader society, the law also assigns the Ministry of Intelligence, the police intelligence unit (FARAJA), and the IRGC Intelligence Organization to enforce measures against noncompliance with hijab rules.
Call to Action by the NCRI Women’s Committee
The NCRI Women’s Committee denounced the law as a violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international conventions on civil and women’s rights.
In a statement, they said the “criminal and inhumane” law was a new phase in the regime’s efforts to crack down on Iranian women and girls, aimed at stifling uprisings. The NCRI Women’s Committee called on all international organizations and relevant bodies to condemn this law.
The NCRI Women’s Committee urged all freedom-loving Iranian women to resist this oppressive and inhumane law under the banner of “Woman, Resistance, Freedom.”
