July
18, 2023
Protests
have erupted in the northern Iranian city of Rasht following an attempt by
government officials to arrest three women over violations of mandatory hijab
rules amid reports that the country’s leadership has ordered the resumption of
so-called “morality police” patrols.
Reports
suggest that the situation escalated late on July 16 when some sections of the
crowd began chanting “Death to [Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali] Khamenei”
after the officials tried to apprehend the women for dress code infractions.
Plainclothes individuals attempted to disperse the crowd using tear gas,
leading to clashes between the group and the officials.
The
same evening, a spokesperson for the Islamic Republic’s law enforcement
announced the deployment of vehicle and foot patrols to combat what he referred
to as “improper” hijab usage. He warned that those who continue to defy norms
with the dress would be confronted.
The
morality police patrols were suspended following months of unrest sparked by
the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini while she was in police custody for an
alleged head-scarf violation. Amini’s family has said she had no history of
health problems and was beaten during her detention.
The
return of the patrols has been met with anger, especially in light of recent
citizens’ reports on social media of an increase in vans carrying morality
patrol officers in the streets, particularly in large cities. The morality
patrols have been sharply criticized by the European Union, the United States,
the United Kingdom, and some Western allies for their role in suppressing women
and violating human rights.
Unrest
has rattled Iran since last summer in response to declining living standards,
wage arrears, and a lack of insurance support. Labor law in Iran does not
recognize the right of workers to form independent unions.
Amini’s
death breathed new life into demonstrations, which officials across the country
have since tried to quell with harsh measures.
Many
women across the country have openly challenged the mandatory head scarf law,
with many appearing in public without their hijab, or defiantly taking it off
in protest.
The
activist HRANA news agency said that more than 500 people have been killed
during the unrest, including 71 minors, as security forces try to stifle
widespread dissent.
Thousands
have been arrested in the clampdown, with the judiciary handing down harsh
sentences — including the death penalty — to protesters.
No comments:
Post a Comment