A brief overview of the so-called ‘chastity and hijab’ law in Iran

A new wave of crackdown on women and girls

The Iranian regime has taken another repressive step with the enforcement of the so-called “Chastity and Hijab” law. Recently finalized after months of debate between the regime’s parliament and the Guardian Council, the law was officially published on 30 November 2024 and is due to come into force on 13 December 2024. Comprising 74 articles in five chapters, the legislation represents an intensified effort by the regime to tighten its grip on Iranian society, particularly targeting women and their freedoms.

The regime’s aims: Control and repression

The new law builds on the regime’s ideological foundation of compulsory hijab, a key tool for maintaining control over society. The regime’s aims with this law are manifold: 

1. Exercising social control and political repression:

   By codifying stricter enforcement of hijab, the regime aims to consolidate its power and stifle dissent. Compulsory hijab has long been used to enforce conformity and project dominance over the population. 

2. Preventing uprisings: 

   The regime is aware of the potential for protests similar to the 2022 uprising. By introducing harsher punishments and enlisting broader institutional support for hijab enforcement, the law seeks to quell any resurgence of public disobedience. 

3. Preserving ideological identity: 

   For the Islamic Republic, mandatory hijab is not just a dress code; it is a core tenet of its ideological and political identity. Any retreat from this policy risks signalling a loss of control, something the regime is desperate to avoid. 

Repression mechanisms embedded in the law

Despite claims by regime officials that the law excludes “morality patrols or imprisonment”, its provisions reveal a wide-ranging crackdown. It assigns responsibilities to several government institutions, including the Ministry of Culture and Guidance, the state broadcaster (IRIB), the Ministry of Education, municipalities and even village councils. 

Chapter Three of the law directly contradicts international conventions such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Municipalities, in collaboration with pro-regime organisations, are required to monitor public spaces such as parks, cultural centres and public transport to ensure compliance with hijab regulations. 

Penalties are severe for those who flout these rules. Civil servants who refuse to report violations can be suspended from their jobs for up to six years. Business owners can be fined the equivalent of two to six months’ income. Even individuals who do not actively assist enforcement efforts risk punitive action. 

The law also empowers intelligence and security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Organization, to suppress non-compliance. These provisions effectively extend the regime’s surveillance and control to every aspect of public life. 

Resistance and growing opposition

The implementation of the ‘Chastity and Hijab’ law comes amid widespread defiance of the hijab rules by Iranian women. For many, the compulsory hijab has become a symbol of the regime’s oppression. Public disobedience, especially by women and youth, is a rejection of the regime’s authority. 

The main opposition, the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), has condemned the law as ‘criminal and inhumane’. Maryam Rajavi (pictured, right) the President-elect of the NCRI, stressed that this legislation represents the desperation of the regime in the face of growing dissent. She urged women to continue their resistance under the slogan “Woman, Resistance, Freedom”. 

Rajavi said:”Through this repressive law and the use of repressive forces, Khamenei seeks to subjugate society, especially women, who are at the forefront of the struggle against religious fascism. Neither daily executions nor misogynistic laws will solve this regime’s dilemma. I repeat: no to compulsory hijab, no to compulsory religion, and no to compulsory government. “

Conclusion: A struggle for freedom

The Chastity and Hijab Law marks a critical juncture in Iran’s struggle for freedom and equality. By doubling down on repressive measures, the regime hopes to silence dissent and maintain control. But the widespread opposition it faces, particularly from women, shows that the Iranian people are far from subdued. 

The call to resist this law under the banner of “Woman, Resistance, Freedom” reflects the enduring spirit of defiance among Iranian women and society at large. The global community must stand in solidarity with them, amplify their voices and condemn the regime’s actions. 

This law is not just an attack on women’s rights; it is an attack on universal principles of freedom and human dignity. It must be opposed at every level, both inside Iran and on the international stage.

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