The oppression continues Irannew tight to the veil. A Tehran court has issued new directives regarding respect for the hijab, and introduced immediate action against anyone “promote abolition” of the clothes. Signed by judiciary chief Gholamhossein Ejei, the measure was attributed to the group “organized and affiliated with foreigners” efforts to spread it “social anomaly” through “nudity propaganda”. The decision appears to mark a return to a stricter approach after months of regulatory uncertainty.
This decision was taken at a time when the internal debate regarding the obligation to wear the hijab was still open. The law providing for harsher sanctions for those not wearing the hijab – which was suspended last December – remains the subject of inter-institutional conflict, differing positions between religious authorities and civil society mobilization. Moreover, in recent months, authorities have alternated phases of imposing restrictions with more tolerant moments, while some NGOs – starting with the Center for Human Rights in Iran – note that the formal obligations have not been lifted.
In this context news about disappearance from taekwondo athletes Hanieh Shariati Roudposhti. The information was released by human rights organization Hengaw, which stated that the young woman was last seen without a veil during training in Tehran. There is currently no official communication from the authorities, but the story has drawn further attention regarding the handling of cases related to mandatory clothing.
As is known, the theme of the veil holds strong symbolic value in Iran. Introduced after the 1979 Revolution, the obligation to wear the hijab has been the subject of renewed protests since 2022, following the death of Mahsa Amini and subsequent protests. Discussion of the law has divided Parliament and the government: President Masoud Pezeshkian has expressed objections in recent months, and in February claimed that he did not want to implement a law. “which creates problems for the population”.
At the same time, episodes of repression occurred not only against those who did not wear the hijab, but also against those who opposed it commercial activities are considered non-compliant. On the other hand, the police recently intervened to break up a demonstration in favor of strengthening the hijab requirement. The judiciary is talking about “infiltration” And “culture war”indicating that this issue is still the subject of internal tension.
New provisions prohibiting “nudity propaganda” suggest a possible tightening of the state’s approach. However, Roudposhti’s situation has not yet been officially clarified, and there has been no recent news regarding Roudposhti’s disappearance.
