Qalibaf: The Delay in Implementing the Hijab and Chastity Law is Due to Government's Intended Reforms

The Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly confirmed that the implementation of the "Hijab and Chastity" law has been "suspended" based on a decision by the Supreme National Security Council to consider the "intended reforms" of the government of Masoud Pezeshkian. Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf stated in a television interview on Tuesday, March 19, that the government has "issues" with "some aspects" of this law, which will be addressed after they are presented to the parliament for decision-making on amendments. He did not specify the details of these "issues," but in recent months, many opponents and critics have condemned the approval of this law and the imposition of heavy penalties for non-compliance with the compulsory hijab as a "systematic suppression" of the rights of women and girls. Previously, the Executive Vice President of Iran had reported on Masoud Pezeshkian's decision not to implement the "Hijab and Chastity" law, stating that this law "creates problems for the people, and he will not stand against the people." Mohammad Javad Zarif, the former Strategic Deputy of the President of Iran, also claimed that the Islamic Republic has "decided not to pressure women regarding hijab." He mentioned that "if you walk the streets of Tehran, you will see some women without hijab, and despite the fact that this action is illegal, the government has decided not to pressure women." Despite these claims, the Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly stated on Tuesday that the suspension of this law's implementation is solely for the purpose of making the "intended reforms" of the government. Qalibaf also claimed that "morality police have been completely removed" from this law. The morality police refers to the warnings, confrontations, and even arrests of girls and women without compulsory hijab by police and Basij forces. While the Speaker claims that the implementation of the so-called "Hijab and Chastity" law has been halted, several civil activists, including Nasrin Sotoudeh and Sedigheh Voseqi, argue that this law is effectively being enforced. These two issued a joint statement last December warning that although "this invalid law" has apparently not been implemented, women everywhere, from schools and universities to offices, are exposed to harassment, warnings, and verbal and behavioral abuse regarding their attire. Reports and videos published in recent months in media and social networks also confirm that the judiciary and law enforcement's actions against girls and women with optional hijab continue, and many of them have been arrested or faced legal cases during ceremonies and celebrations. International human rights organizations have urged Iranian officials to prevent the enforcement of this law, as its aim is to "impose systematic discrimination intended to suppress women and girls to compel them to absolute obedience to the government." The preparation and drafting of the "Family Support Law through Promoting the Culture of Hijab and Chastity" dates back to the year 1402. Following the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini in early autumn of 1401 in the custody of the morality police, widespread protests swept across the country, known as the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests. In the wake of these protests, which were severely suppressed and resulted in many casualties, Iranian women, especially the younger generation, appear in public with optional hijab. Concurrently with these events, the so-called morality police vans were also removed from the streets. However, after the suppression of street protests ended, the drafting of the "Hijab and Chastity" law came into play. This bill was initially prepared by the judiciary in 9 articles and sent to the government of Ebrahim Raisi on May 9, 1402. The government expanded it to 15 articles, approved it on May 27, and sent it to the Islamic Consultative Assembly. In the parliament, the Judicial and Legal Commission expanded the bill to 71 articles and ultimately approved its three-year trial implementation. However, the Guardian Council repeatedly rejected the parliament's bill for minor amendments until it was finally announced in early October of this year that it had also been approved by the Guardian Council. The most prominent aspect of this law is the heavy financial penalties imposed, which many believe serve as a means for the government to generate revenue.