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“Repeat offenders” banned from traveling
According to Art. 49, women’s “nudity” in public or online exposes them to arrest, prosecution, and prison time of up to 10 years in prison or a fine of $12,000. “Repeat offenders” face up to 15 years in prison and a $22,000 fine. If a woman does not pay the fines, she will not be able to travel abroad, renew her passport, recover the seized vehicle, or renew her driving license.
The strategy of the Iranian authorities is clear: state policy aims to control women and girls through fear and economic sanctions.
This law has particularly devastating consequences for the most disadvantaged people in Iranian society.
Diana Eltahawy
In article 38, anyone who “insults or mocks the hijab” or “promotes nudity, indecency, unveiling and poor dress” faces a prison sentence of up to five years, a travel ban and/or a fine.
This law prohibits the importation and sale of clothing, statues, dolls, mannequins, paintings, books and magazines “promoting nudity, indecency, unveiling and poor dress.” »
Impunity enshrined in law
This law, in addition to intensifying the persecution of women in Iran, codifies impunity. Art. 59 encourages violence against women by also granting total impunity to those responsible for “respecting” the compulsory wearing of the veil.
The law expands the powers of intelligence and security services, including the police, the Ministry of Intelligence, the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the basidjis (volunteer militiamen), to impose the compulsory wearing of the veil.
Anyone who attempts to prevent arrest, harassment and violent attacks against women and girls defying the veil requirement may be imprisoned or fined (article 60).
Faced with this scandalous law which seriously endangers millions of women in Iran, the international community CANNOT stand by and do nothing. Impunity cannot continue. Impunity must be condemned.
