Iran ‘disbands’ morality police to quell protests
Judiciary to review requirement that women cover hair
Iran has “abolished” its hardline morality police, blamed for the death in custody of a woman arrested for improperly wearing a hijab. More than two months after one of their patrol units arrested Mahsa Amini, 22, who died three days later, the country’s chief public prosecutor said the force had been disbanded.
The death of Amini sparked nationwide protests and a harsh crackdown in which human rights groups estimate more than 460 people have already been killed by security forces across the country, with 50 children among them.
Attorney-general Mohammad Jafar Montazeri yesterday said the “morality police have nothing to do with the judiciary” and he confirmed the “institution” has stopped its work. It is unclear if the morality police has been permanently scrapped or if this is a temporary move to quell public anger.
Female demonstrators have burned their mandatory hijab head coverings and a growing number of women have refrained from wearing it, particularly in parts of Tehran.
While unlikely to bring an end to demonstrations, protesters will view the announcement as a major win.
The news was treated with scepticism by some Iranians on social media, including those who expressed fears the role of the morality police would be taken over by another unit, as well as others pointing out that intense social pressure remained at home.
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that overthrew Iran’s Us-backed monarchy, authorities have monitored adherence to the strict dress code for women and men.
However, under hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the morality police — known formally as the Gasht-e Ershad or “Guidance Patrol” — was established to “spread the culture of modesty and hijab”. The units were set up by Iran’s Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, which is today headed by President Ebrahim Raisi.
They began their patrols in 2006 to enforce the dress code which also requires women to wear long clothes and forbids shorts, ripped jeans and other clothes deemed to be immodest.
The announcement came after the judiciary said it will “review” the law that makes it compulsory for women to cover their hair. On Sunday, Raisi said Iran’s republican and Islamic foundations are constitutionally entrenched and went on to suggest there were “methods of implementing the constitution that can be flexible”.
Both moves appear to be a clear attempt to appease the protesters who have presented the biggest continued threat to the regime in years. At the same time, there are widespread reports of Iranian authorities beating, sexually assaulting and killing protesters. Thousands have been arrested, including prominent actors, sports professionals and journalists.
Despite the authorities’ attempts at concessions, protesters called for a three-day nationwide boycott of all economic activity to maintain pressure. They want the strike to coincide with a rally in Tehran’s Azadi (Freedom) Square on Thursday. Raisi is due to address students in Tehran on the same day to mark Student Day in Iran.
— Telegraph Group Ltd