Rohani Refers to Unseen Patrols: Human Dignity Precedes Religion

Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, referring to the 'unseen moral security patrols', stated that the 'first duty' of the government towards the people is 'to respect their personality, status, and dignity' because 'this dignity precedes religion'. Mr. Rouhani said this on Tuesday evening, April 31, in Semnan: 'Plans are being implemented in the country, part of which pertains to the government and part to other agencies such as the judiciary or other forces.' The Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA) reported that the President stated, 'We have good and responsible people', adding, 'The dignity of all must be preserved.' These remarks came a day after the commander of Tehran's police announced the deployment of seven thousand officers to control 'unseen moral security' in the city. Brigadier General Hossein Sajedi-Nia stated that these officers, under the 'unseen moral security patrol', would report the license plate numbers of vehicles whose occupants engage in activities such as 'unveiling in vehicles', 'harassment of women', 'noise pollution', and 'performing stunts' to the security police. The activities of the guidance patrols in Tehran had also resumed a day prior. Hassan Rouhani, in September of last year in Mashhad, stated that 'the people of Iran have fought for chastity and hijab and defend it', but in another speech emphasized that 'culture cannot be built with vans, minibuses, policemen, and soldiers'. In his memoirs, Mr. Rouhani referred to himself as responsible for enforcing hijab in government offices and the Iranian military after the Islamic Revolution.