Iran's new president has said the morality police will no longer “harass” women for wearing the mandatory hijab headscarf, days after the United Nations warned women could be tortured for violating the strict dress code. is going
Massoud Pizishkian's comments came on the second anniversary of the death in police custody of Mehsa Amini, 22, after she was allegedly arrested for not wearing a hijab, sparking nationwide protests.
The United Nations said last week that Iran's government has since made “intense efforts” to suppress women's rights and crush the last vestiges of activism.
But on Monday, Pyzhashkian said the government's morality police should no longer confront women on the street.
Pizshakyan, who became president after his predecessor died in a helicopter crash, is seen as a potentially reformist leader.
He was answering questions from a female reporter who said she had taken a detour to avoid a police van on her way to a press conference. She wore a dupatta covering her head with some hair showing.
When asked if the police were still on the streets, Pyzhashkian confirmed that they were.
In response he said: “The moral police should not have been confronted. [women]. I will follow up so they don't worry. [them]”
His comments were broadcast live on major state TV networks, including the rolling news channel IRINN. A clip of the conversation with the female journalist has since gone viral online.
It was Pizshakyan's first press conference since coming to power in July, replacing the ultra-conservative Ibrahim Raisi.
During her election campaign she pledged to oppose police patrols enforcing the mandatory hijab headscarf. He has also pledged to loosen some of the country's longstanding internet controls.
Iran stepped up surveillance of social media in 2022 after nationwide anti-establishment protests led by women.
Signs of a potentially more relaxed attitude to the country's strict dress code for women were present at Pyzhashkian's press conference on Monday, where some female journalists wore head coverings.
BBC Monitoring reported that it was a marked departure from previous official events where female journalists are required to wear the full hijab.
But the latest UN fact-finding mission to the country says women “still live in a system that makes them second-class citizens”.
In its report released last week The UN said: “State authorities have expanded repressive measures and policies to further deprive women and girls of their basic rights.”
It noted that the government has “increased monitoring of hijab compliance” in both public and private settings, while also endorsing increased violence in punishing women and girls who break the rules.
“Security forces have exacerbated already existing patterns of physical violence, including beating, kicking and slapping women and girls deemed unable to comply with mandatory hijab laws and regulations,” the UN said. goes.”
It said authorities had also increased the use of the death penalty against women activists and increased executions of those who had expressed solidarity with the 2022 protests, known as the Women, Life, Freedom Movement. .
The UN mission also said the “Hijab and Chastity” bill is in the final stages of approval before Iran's Guardian Council and could be finalized soon.
“The bill provides for severe penalties for women who do not wear the mandatory hijab, including heavy fines, long prison sentences, restrictions on work and educational opportunities, and travel restrictions,” the UN investigators said. are.”