Iranian Women Face Severe Penalties Under New Morality Laws

Iranian women could face harsh penalties, including the death sentence or up to 15 years in prison, under new morality laws that enforce compulsory dress codes. The legislation, introduced to promote "chastity and hijab," imposes severe consequences for defying mandatory veiling or engaging in what authorities deem "improper dressing."

The laws, passed earlier this month, include fines of up to £12,500, flogging, and long prison sentences for those repeatedly violating dress codes. Article 37 of the legislation specifically targets individuals accused of "promoting indecency" or "unveiling" to international organizations or media, with penalties extending to a decade in prison and heavy fines. Furthermore, acts considered "corruption on Earth" under Article 286 of Iran's Islamic penal code could result in a death sentence.

Amnesty International has expressed alarm, stating that peaceful activism or sharing images of unveiled women with foreign entities could lead to execution. The organization also criticized provisions that grant immunity to those enforcing veiling laws, leaving women more vulnerable to harassment. Article 60 of the new law criminalizes attempts to intervene in the enforcement of these rules.

The law extends punitive measures to businesses, taxi drivers, media outlets, and educational institutions that fail to report or address instances of "improper dressing." Activists, journalists, and human rights lawyers have condemned the legislation, describing it as a significant escalation in the repression of women. Saeid Dehghan, a prominent human rights lawyer, noted that the law violates fundamental principles of the Iranian constitution, particularly those safeguarding individual freedoms.

This crackdown follows widespread protests after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022. Amini's arrest for not wearing her hijab "correctly" sparked a nationwide uprising under the banner "Woman, Life, Freedom." Since then, Iranian women have increasingly defied dress codes in public, often facing fines, harassment, or detention. Recent incidents, such as a young student protesting by stripping to her underwear, highlight the mounting resistance to these restrictions.

Authorities have proposed controversial measures, such as establishing "hijab clinics," to enforce compliance. Critics argue these moves further entrench gender-based oppression. Nazanin Afshin-Jam MacKay, an Iranian human rights advocate, described the law as part of a broader campaign to crush women's rights under a "gender-apartheid regime."

Despite warnings from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian about the potential for increased societal unrest, the government remains firm in its stance. Many women fear these measures will legalize state-sanctioned violence, as one anonymous protester noted, stating, "They’ve already killed Mahsa, and by making this law, they’re simply legalizing the killing."

This legislation marks a pivotal moment in the fight for women's rights in Iran, with international observers calling for urgent global action to protect those targeted by the regime.