Iran’s parliament has passed a controversial bill increasing prison terms and fines for women and girls who break its strict dress code.
The bill which is yet to be approved by the Guardian Council to become law, says that those dressed “inappropriately” will face up to 10 years in jail and a three-year “trial.”
The bill comes a year after protests erupted over the death of Mahsa Amini, who was held by morality police for an allegedly improper hijab.
Women burnt their headscarves or waved them in the air at the nationwide demonstrations, which led to the killings of hundreds of people by security forces. Since then, many girls and women stopped covering their hair in public altogether.
According to Iranian law, based on the country’s interpretation of Sharia, women and girls above the age of puberty must cover their hair with a hijab and wear long, loose-fitting clothing to disguise their figures.
Those who do not comply risk a prison term of between 10 days and two months or a fine of between 5,000 and 500,000 rials ($0.10-$10.14 at the black market exchange rate).
According to BBC reports, on Wednesday, members of parliament voted by 152 to 34 to pass the “Hijab and Chastity Bill”. The penal code stated a prison sentence of between five and 10 years and a fine of between 180m and 360m rials ($3,651-$7,302).
Based on reports by AFP news agency, the bill also includes fines for those “promoting nudity” or “making fun of the hijab” in the media and on social networks. Owners of vehicles in which a female driver or passenger is not wearing the hijab or appropriate clothing will also be fined.
Anybody who promotes violating the dress code “in an organized manner” or “in co-operation with foreign or hostile governments, media, groups or organizations” could also be imprisoned for between five and 10 years, it says.
The bill has been sent for approval by the Guardian Council, a conservative body of clerics and jurists. They have the power to veto the bill if they consider it inconsistent with the constitution and Sharia.
