Iran's New Morality Laws Threaten Women with Death Penalty or 15 Years in Prison for Defying Hijab

Dec 11, 2024, 12:29 PM

Iran has introduced new compulsory 'morality laws' that impose severe penalties on women who defy the country's veiling regulations. Under these laws, women could face the death penalty or up to 15 years in prison for not adhering to the compulsory hijab rules. The legislation, which takes effect this week, is part of a broader crackdown on basic freedoms, as evidenced by the #WomenLifeFreedom protests. Critics, including former Minister of Cultural Heritage Ezzatollah Zarghami, have acknowledged the widespread public rejection of these laws, noting that the majority of people do not accept or comply with the mandatory veiling regulations, and the government struggles to enforce them. The new laws also include restrictions on men's attire, prohibiting them from wearing sleepwear in public, a rule which is reportedly banned worldwide.