Basij and IRGC Designated as 'Enforcers of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice'

Iranian lawmakers designated the Basij and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as 'enforcers of the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice' and granted the 'provincial and county headquarters for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice' the authority to issue permits for gatherings and marches on these topics. According to Fars News Agency, during a public session on Tuesday, December 9, lawmakers continued to review the 'Promoters of Virtue and Preventers of Vice' bill, determining that the Basij and IRGC would serve as enforcers for practical actions. Under this provision, proposed by Tehran representative Ali Motahari, the headquarters for the promotion of virtue is required to hold training courses for Basij and IRGC members, who will act as enforcers of virtue and vice prevention, and grant them special permits. Mohammad Reza Naqdi, head of the Basij Organization, announced on November 17 that the Basij would utilize 'all capacities' in the pursuit of 'promotion of virtue and prevention of vice.' Iranian lawmakers approved the general principles of the 24-article bill 'Support for Promoters of Virtue and Preventers of Vice' on October 8, despite government opposition, and have recently approved its details. According to the Tuesday resolution, 'provincial and county headquarters for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice' can issue permits for gatherings and marches at the request of individuals and legal entities. According to IRNA, the headquarters must send a copy of the issued permit to the governorate, district governorate, and county administration to ensure the security of the participants. Majid Ansari, the parliamentary deputy to the Iranian president, described this bill as causing 'chaos' and opposed the issuance of permits for gatherings by the headquarters for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, stating, 'This is also against the law because the Ministry of Interior issues permits for gatherings.' If the bill is approved by the Guardian Council, a headquarters named 'Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice' will be formed with 17 members, six of whom will be government ministers and the rest will be heads and representatives of agencies under the Supreme Leader. According to the lawmakers' resolution, the decisions of this headquarters, which will be chaired by one of the Friday prayer leaders in Tehran selected by the Policy Council of Friday Prayer Leaders, will be mandatory for all agencies. Majid Ansari previously opposed this section of the lawmakers' resolution, questioning, 'How can the decisions of a headquarters chaired by the Friday prayer leader of Tehran be mandatory for the three branches of government?' Members of this headquarters include the ministers of interior, culture and guidance, and information, the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization, a representative with full authority from the judiciary, the commander of the police force, and the commander of the Basij.