Iran’s New President Vows to Stop Morality Police from Harassing Women

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has promised to stop the harassment of women by the morality police, as Iran observes the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death.

On Monday, September 16, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made a significant announcement. On the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death, he vowed to stop the morality police from troubling women. This statement was made during his first press conference since taking office in late July.

Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, died in police custody on September 16, 2022. She was arrested in Tehran by the morality police for allegedly not following Iran’s strict dress code. 

This dress code requires women to cover their heads and wear modest clothing in public. Her death sparked widespread protests across Iran, which continued for months.

These protests saw hundreds of people, including many security personnel, lose their lives. Thousands of demonstrators were arrested during this period of unrest. The events highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with the strict rules imposed by the Iranian government.

Pezeshkian, who is known for his reformist views, took office after the ultra-conservative Ebrahim Raisi died in a helicopter crash in May. 

In his campaign, Pezeshkian had promised to end the patrols by the morality police who enforce the hijab rules. He also pledged to ease long-standing internet restrictions.

Iran has historically maintained tight control over internet use. Popular social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) have faced restrictions. These controls were tightened after the 2019 fuel price protests and the unrest following Amini’s death.

At his press conference, Pezeshkian emphasized that the morality police should not interfere with women. “The morality police were not supposed to confront (women). I will follow up so they don’t bother” them, he said. This marks a significant shift from previous policies.

In addition to addressing the issue with the morality police, Pezeshkian’s government is working to relax internet restrictions, particularly on social media platforms. 

This change aims to provide Iranians with more freedom online, allowing them to connect and share their views more freely.

Pezeshkian’s recent statements signal a potential shift in Iran’s approach to personal freedoms and internet access. As he implements these changes, they could have a substantial impact on the daily lives of Iranians and their ability to express themselves openly.