Over 140 Iranian Journalists Issue Statement Against 'Hijab and Chastity Law'

Protests against the potential approval and implementation of the law known as 'Hijab and Chastity' continue, and in the latest response, over 140 Iranian journalists have described this law as 'inhumane' and a case of 'widespread violation of fundamental citizens' rights,' announcing their 'firm' opposition to its enforcement. The signatories of this statement, published on Friday, December 7, particularly criticized the sections related to 'determining punishments' as being in clear conflict with legal principles such as 'proportionality of crime and punishment, principles of presumption of innocence, human dignity, and prohibition of discrimination.' The journalists warned about the 'society's inability to bear further pressure' and described the enactment of such laws as 'whitewashing the issue' and a precursor to 'increased social crises.' The authors also referred to parts of this law as a violation of the rights of women and children, reminding the government of its commitment to guarantee the rights of these segments of society based on Article 21 of the Islamic Republic's Constitution and international commitments, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In another section of this statement, the signatories pointed out the 'threat to journalists regarding censorship and criminalization of discussions related to hijab,' describing it as contradictory to Article 24 of the Constitution. Many veteran and prominent journalists are among the signatories of this statement. A significant number of signatories have previously been detained or pressured for various reasons, including journalistic activities or issues related to hijab. Earlier, other groups, including over a hundred filmmakers and several cultural and artistic institutions, expressed their serious objection to the controversial law known as Hijab and Chastity through similar statements. Filmmakers such as Hanieh Tosoli, Manijeh Hekmat, Katayoun Riahi, Masoud Kimiai, Behtash Sanaeiha, Maziar Lorestani, and Fatemeh Motamed-Arya described this law as 'anti-Iranian' and 'humiliating,' considering it as 'a declaration of all-out war against the people of Iran' and a source of 'division among the people.' On the other hand, three cultural institutions in Iran issued a statement labeling this law as 'anti-national and divisive' and called for its repeal. The House of Cinema, House of Theater, and House of Music of Iran, in their statement, which was published on the House of Cinema's website on Wednesday, December 5, reminded that this law 'will never have popular acceptance for implementation.' Meanwhile, dozens of child rights organizations and activists stated that the law known as Hijab and Chastity 'clearly contradicts the fundamental rights of children' under international and domestic laws. Forty child rights organizations and activists announced in a statement that this law includes 'new criminalizations for children aged 9 to 18' and that 'the interests of children are in clear conflict with the criminalization against them.' Masoud Pezeshkian, the President of Iran, also criticized the law on December 3, stating that its implementation is not feasible, the society will not accept it, and it will create dissatisfaction. This comes as Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, announced on December 28 that the 'Hijab and Chastity' law would be implemented on December 23, and Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, called it 'mandatory.'