Warning from the Parliamentary Research Center Regarding the Implementation of the 'Chastity and Hijab Plan'

The Parliamentary Research Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly has rejected the generalities of the plan known as 'Protection of Chastity and Hijab' and has called for the plan to remain dormant in the Iranian parliament. In the expert opinion of the Parliamentary Research Center, it is stated that 'the increased possibility of a rift between the regime and the people and the reduction of bad hijab from an abnormal and non-valuable matter to traffic violations' are among the reasons for rejecting the generalities of this plan. This report was published on Saturday, September 7, on the website of the Parliamentary Research Center. According to the plan known as 'Protection of Chastity and Hijab,' which was approved by the parliament in 2014, various punishments have been considered against citizens who install satellite channel receivers in their homes or do not adhere to the Islamic hijab as envisioned by the government. However, the Parliamentary Research Center has raised the question, 'Will this approach lead to an increase in popular resistance?' and stated that the Chastity and Hijab Protection Plan 'has not created new criminalization in the subject of chastity and hijab but has attempted to make the previous criminalization effective through the determination of an executor and the intensification of punishment.' 'Reprimand and record in the file in case of bad hijab, educational courses for women with non-Islamic attire, monetary fines, and payment of penalties' are part of the punishments anticipated in the approved plan. The Parliamentary Research Center has also noted that 'since our country's political cases are raised in human rights violations, the approval and implementation of this plan could exacerbate international pressure against Iran in international forums and systems.'