The so-called "Family Support Bill through Promoting the Culture of Chastity and Hijab," known as the Hijab Bill, has finally been enacted into law after multiple back-and-forth between the regime’s Majles and the Guardian Council. The law, consisting of 74 articles in five chapters, is set to be implemented on December 14, as announced by the Speaker of Majles, with a trial period of three years stipulated in Article 74. The government’s approval and announcement of the "Hijab and Chastity Law" once again demonstrate the regime’s relentless efforts to impose medieval laws on Iranian women and society.

Two years after the widespread “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which openly opposed mandatory hijab and the systemic humiliation and suppression of women, the passing of this law signifies the regime's reactionary resistance to the legitimate and fundamental demands of Iranian people. The new legislation empowers law enforcement to intensify the climate of fear and escalate the arrest and oppression of dissidents under its provisions.

The regime is attempting to reverse the gains of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising through various means. Although the Iranian regime managed to temporarily suppress the 2022 movement politically and halt street protests, it failed to force women who removed their hijabs in public to comply with mandatory hijab rules again. One of the objectives of this new law is to revert the situation to pre-2022 conditions, during which Majority of women had to comply hijab.

The “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising was not solely about opposing mandatory hijab but carried broader aspirations for freedom and liberation from oppressive medieval Islamic laws. For over four decades, the Islamic Republic has made life increasingly difficult for Iranians, resulting in a growing dissatisfaction among the people.

Amidst economic, social, and political crises, a society suffocated by pressure and poverty has mobilized in pursuit of freedom and liberation from the regime. In response, the Iranian dictatorial and oppressive religious government attempts to stifle the people’s struggle for civil rights and freedoms by implementing anti-democratic laws such as the "Hijab and Chastity Law," further intensifying repression and fostering an environment of fear.

This law itself is a testament to the failure of the mandatory hijab policy. Since the regime's inception, various methods, particularly through "morality patrols," arrests, administrative decrees, and imprisonments, were employed to enforce hijab, but ultimately these efforts culminated in severe beatings and overt violence against women. Throughout these years, women, with the support of society, have resisted the regime’s misogynistic medieval laws in various ways, and the “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising marked the definitive rejection of the “veil or lash” policy. Now, the regime has taken a different approach, attempting to cover its inability to address social issues and meet societal needs by introducing medieval laws and imposing hefty fines—for instance, a 165 million Toman ($2750, as $1=60kT) fine for improper hijab—and turning people against one another.

The religious regime in Iran is determined to solidify its reactionary ideology at all costs. A regime that deployed all its forces to suppress the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement is now, ironically, paving the way for an even broader and more unified uprising through its own actions. The regime hopes that imposing heavy fines will force people to retreat, but history has proven that financial penalties never prevent the uprising against unjust laws. If imprisonment and flogging failed to force Iranian women and girls into compliance with hijab mandates, financial fines certainly will not succeed in curbing this pursuit of freedom.

This law will deepen dissatisfaction and strengthen the desire for liberation among diverse social groups in Iran, inevitably leading to a new wave of protests.

If the reactionary and oppressive regime is preparing for another assault on the achievements of the people’s struggles, it is an obligatory task upon all democratic opposition parties and organizations, as well as all freedom lovers, to organize a serious and coordinated resistance against the regime and intensify efforts to liberate the Iranian people from this inhumane regime.

We, in the "Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran" and the "Congress of Federal Nations of Iran," firmly believe that the women and men of this land will reject and resist this disgraceful and regressive law. This criminal, anti-human, and misogynistic regime, grappling with deep economic, political, and social crises, foolishly believes it can perpetuate its rule through increased violence and repression.

The Islamic Republic’s insistence on its policies has only deepens the people's hatred and resentment towards it. The day is not far when the people of Iran will overthrow this regime and achieves freedom, equality, and democracy.

We stand with the women and people of Iran and will spare no effort in opposing this law.

Congress of Federal Nationalities for Iran
Broad Solidarity for Freedom and Equality in Iran

December 6, 2024