Iranian women could face death penalty for defying new morality laws
- 11 December, 11:46
Iranian authorities have adopted a new law that would further oppress women’s rights in the country. Under the new law passed by the authorities, Iranian women could face a death sentence or up to 15 years in jail and hefty fines for defying the new compulsory morality laws.
The new “Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab” that will come into force on December 13, permits the imposition of the death penalty for peaceful activism against Iran’s discriminatory compulsory veiling laws.
The law also imposes flogging, fines to the tune of $12,000, harsh prison sentences, travel bans, and restrictions on education and employment for women and girls who defy compulsory veiling laws. Women who are unable to pay fines will be barred from recovering their impounded vehicles, registering vehicles, acquiring or renewing driving licenses, renewing passports and leaving the country. The Amnesty International organization has slammed the new law as “shameful”, stressing that it “intensifies the persecution of women and girls for daring to stand up for their rights following the ‘Woman Life Freedom’ uprising.” The human rights group called on the international community to use their leverage to press the Iranian authorities to withdraw this law and abolish compulsory veiling in law and practice.
Iran has faced domestic and international backlash over the compulsory veiling of women. The country has been gripped by widespread protests, known as “Woman Life Freedom” uprising, that was sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. In yet another move to impose compulsory head cover on women, Iran last month announced the opening of a “treatment clinic” for women and girls refusing to wear hijab.
