Interior Ministry Spokesman: We Do Not Control Women's Staff Attire

One day after the news of the commencement of inspection groups from the 'Headquarters for the Protection of Public Security and Citizens' Rights' was published, the spokesman for the Ministry of Interior emphasized that these inspections only include 'the actions of agencies in the field of promoting culture for modesty and hijab' and do not involve the attire of the staff of these agencies. The Iran newspaper, on Wednesday, June 10, quoted Seyyed Salman Samani, the spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, stating: 'Reviewing the issue of the attire and hijab of individuals in agencies is not on our agenda.' On Tuesday, June 9, the Khorasan newspaper reported: 'According to a directive from some provincial governors, local managers have been informed that according to the calendar of the programs of the central headquarters for the protection of public security and citizens' rights of the Ministry of Interior in 1396 (2017), it has been decided that starting next month (Tir), inspections of provincial and county offices in the field of modesty and hijab will begin by the inspection groups of the provincial protection headquarters.' Mr. Samani told the Iran newspaper: 'Based on the resolution of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, every year the actions of various agencies in the field of protecting citizens' rights in offices, the satisfaction and respect of clients, and actions to promote the culture of modesty and hijab in the country are reviewed by the Ministry of Interior.' The spokesman for the Ministry of Interior emphasized: 'What is on the agenda of the Ministry of Interior is specifically the observance of citizens' rights by agencies, the respect for clients, and the satisfaction of the people with the services they receive from the agency, and reviewing the actions of agencies in promoting the culture of modesty and hijab is among these matters.' The publication of this news on social media in Iran provoked widespread reactions. Seyyed Salman Samani, in response to the question, 'So, the issue of the hijab of agency staff will not be addressed?' replied: 'No, this matter is not the subject of the Ministry of Interior. According to the resolution of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, this responsibility has been given to the Ministry of Interior for about 9 years, and every year, according to a scheduled program, the actions of various agencies are reviewed.' He emphasized: 'We only review the actions of agencies for cultural promotion and the enhancement of the culture of modesty and hijab, not the attire of individuals.' Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during his first presidential term, established the 'Headquarters for the Protection of Public Security and Citizens' Rights' with two main axes: 'Protection of citizens' rights and promotion and expansion of the culture of modesty and hijab.' This headquarters is responsible for inspecting all executive agencies, universities, and both public and private banks. According to Ali Malazadeh, the deputy head of inspection at the 'Headquarters for the Protection of Public Security and Citizens' Rights,' this headquarters has become more active in the eleventh government, and 'in the government of Hope and Prudence, these two headquarters are more actively pursuing their core programs.' Among the activities of this headquarters in the Ministry of Higher Education, one can refer to the initial drafting of a book on modesty and hijab in higher education, support for holding scientific conferences on modesty and hijab, implementation of the Parnia plan, university dress festivals, holding an Islamic administrative dress exhibition at the ministry, and drafting a development plan for modesty and dress in the higher education system. Morteza Kazemian, a political analyst residing in France, told Radio Farda: 'The imposition of strictness and a confrontational approach with citizens based on the institutional powers established during Ahmadinejad's government (the Protection Headquarters) is not befitting of Rouhani's government and his electoral slogans.' Mr. Kazemian, referring to the Charter of Citizens' Rights approved by the eleventh government, stated: 'In the Charter of Citizens' Rights approved by Rouhani's government, it is emphasized that 'the individual and public freedoms of citizens are protected from infringement.' It is also stated in this charter that 'no official should infringe upon the rights and legitimate freedoms of citizens in the name of providing security, nor threaten their dignity and honor.' From this perspective, the aforementioned news is a violation of the covenant and commitment of Rouhani's government—or even one of its subsidiaries.'