Iran to Revise 'Hijab Law'... Shift from Hardline Approach

"Results to be out within 15 days"

Anti-government protesters are engulfed in flames during a fire that broke out on October 15 (local time) at Evin Prison in Tehran, Iran, where they were detained. (Photo by Reuters)

[Asia Economy Reporter Yujin Cho] As the anti-government protests in Iran have continued for over two months without subsiding, the authorities, who had taken a hardline stance, are showing signs of change by considering easing the 'hijab law.' The police responsible for enforcing public morals, as well as the Guidance Patrol (morality police) that triggered the protests, are also set to be disbanded.

According to Bloomberg on the 4th (local time), Prosecutor General Montazeri stated in a local media commentary on the 3rd, "We are drafting amendments to the laws related to the hijab," adding, "Relevant institutions such as the parliament and judiciary are discussing this issue, and the results of the meetings will be announced within the next 15 days."

On the same day, Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi also suggested the possibility of easing the hijab law during a TV speech, saying that Iran was founded on Islam and that the Islamic foundation is legally solid, but "there are ways to implement such laws flexibly."

The Guidance Patrol organization, which triggered the hijab protests, is also expected to be disbanded. Prosecutor General Mohammad Jafar Montazeri indicated in a statement, "The morality police have no connection with the judiciary," suggesting that this institution will be abolished. Montazeri made this remark while answering a question from a meeting participant asking, "Why is the morality police being disbanded?"

The morality police organization was established during the hardline presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (August 2005?August 2013) and has been enforcing public morals, including hijab inspections, since 2006.

In Iran, nationwide anti-government protests have continued for two months following the suspicious death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini, who was arrested and investigated for not wearing the hijab properly last September.

International criticism has intensified as the crackdown has escalated, including a mysterious fire incident in prisons where hundreds of protesters arrested during the demonstrations were detained, and indiscriminate use of firearms.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that at least 469 people, including 64 minors, have died among the protesters in Iran so far. It is estimated that over 18,000 people have been detained during the protest suppression process.