Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Monday, Jan 20, 2025

Iran resorts to security cameras to deter unveiled women

Iran resorts to security cameras to deter unveiled women

Wary of re-igniting Iran’s worst political turmoil in years, the country’s rulers are resorting to new, less obtrusive tactics to punish women who refuse to wear the obligatory hijab.
The methods, introduced following nationwide anti-government protests last year, combine use of security cameras with denial of state services to violators, replacing the morality police whose actions were the flashpoint for the months of unrest.

The measures have yet to make much headway against opposition to the hijab, and could worsen economic pressures if they result in the closure of businesses, Iranian activists say.

“Walking unveiled in the streets is now my way of keeping our revolution alive,” said Roya, 31, a private tutor in the northern city of Rasht, who was arrested during protests in November and detained for three months.

“We are not scared of the regime’s threats. We want freedom ... This path will continue until we regain our country from the clerics,” Maryam, a high school girl in Iran’s western Kermanshah city, said.

For decades women who refused to wear the hijab were accosted by morality police operating from vans that patrolled busy public spaces. The vehicles’ mixed male and female crew would watch for “un-Islamic dress and behavior.”

But those vans have mostly vanished from streets of cities they used to patrol, residents said, after the protests confronted Iran’s clerical rulers with their worst legitimacy crisis since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

Iranian officials have also said morality police patrols would no longer spearhead the campaign against those flouting the dress codes.

In place of the vans, authorities are installing cameras on streets to identify unveiled women, providing a more discreet method of detecting breaches of Iran’s conservative dress code.

Another novel tactic is a government order to both private and public sectors not to provide services to “violators.” Warnings of heavy fines and even imprisonment have been issued.

Yet growing numbers of women have defied authorities by discarding their veils in the wake of the protests, which erupted after the death of a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman who was arrested for allegedly violating hijab rules.

Security forces violently put down the revolt, and the street demonstrations largely fizzled in February.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
California Wildfires Set to Become Costliest in U.S. History
U.S. Military Assistance to Israel Surges to $22 Billion in Wake of October 7 Events
Military Appeals Court Upholds 9/11 Plea Deals, Limiting Defense Secretary's Authority
Taliban Imposes New Law: Blocking Windows to Prevent Visibility of Women
Afghanistan has announced war against Pakistan following reports that Pakistani airstrikes killed more than 46 civilians.
Answering incorrectly to the question 'Are you Alawi or Sunni?' in Syria these days could be detrimental to your well-being.
Israeli Military Operations in Gaza, Netanyahu's Corruption Trial, and Global Political Shifts: A Complex Interplay of Geopolitical and Economic Dynamics
Global Developments: Vaccine Controversy, Syrian Rebuilding, Natural Disasters, and Escalating Geopolitical Tensions
Israel's Strategic Maneuvers and U.S. Legal Actions Amidst Syria's Political Upheaval
Global Military Shifts, Gender Inequality, and Economic Alliances: Key Developments in the Post-Assad Era
International Condemnation and Mediation Efforts in Response to Israeli Actions in the Golan Heights Amid Middle Eastern Tensions
Global Tensions and Efforts for Peace: Cross-Cultural Dialogues, Regional Conflicts, and International Diplomacy
Saudi Arabia's Expanding Global Influence: From Water Management Leadership to Cultural and Economic Partnerships
Global Diplomatic Advances: Expanding Judicial, Human Rights, and Geopolitical Partnerships in the Middle East and Beyond
Strengthening UK-Gulf Relations and Addressing Global Challenges: A Diplomatic Overview
Cultural Heritage, Political Change, and Economic Growth: Key Developments Across the Middle East
Key Developments in Middle East Relations, Judicial Reforms, and Energy Partnerships Highlight Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Ambitions
Economic Growth and Innovation Drive Middle Eastern Developments: A Look at Egypt's Treasury Bill Success, Saudi Arabia's Expanding US Relations, Sustainability Initiatives, and Vision 2030 Achievements
UK Considers Delisting HTS Amid Complex Regional Dynamics and Global Security Implications
Global Developments: Saudi Arabia Embraces Cashless Innovation, Syria's Human Rights Struggles, Trump's Controversial Plans, Ghana's Leadership Shift, South Korea's Political Crisis, and Saudi-Japan Economic Partnership
Political Turmoil and Economic Ambitions: Macron's Coalition Efforts, MENA Startup Surge, and Global Initiatives in Integration and Innovation
Turkiye Advocates for Syrian Unity Amid Regional Turmoil; Israeli-Lebanese Tensions and Iran's Strategic Moves Highlight Middle Eastern Shifts
Kanlaon Volcano Erupts in the Philippines and Disrupts in the Middle East: Political Shifts, Oil Market Ripples, and Regional Instability
Global Turmoil: Taiwan Enhances Defenses, Indian Schools Face Bomb Hoaxes, and Middle East Conflicts Escalate
Global Political Shifts: From Trump's Strategic Appointments to Middle Eastern Power Realignments
Escalating Conflicts and Strategic Shifts Across the Middle East and North Africa
Syria's Historic Transition: The Fall of Assad and New Geopolitical Dynamics
Global Shifts: Saudi-UK Trade Goals, Syrian Regime Change, and U.S. Post-Assad Strategy
Saudi Arabia's Multi-Faceted Strategy: Embracing Sustainability, Tourism Excellence, and Regional Stability
Saudi Arabia Advances Transparency and Partnerships in Vision 2030 Push
Saudi Arabia Navigates Post-Assad Syria, Fossil Discoveries, and Economic Growth Amidst Regional Turmoil
Geopolitical Maneuvers and Sustainable Developments: Israel's Buffer Zone Tactics, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 Innovations, and Egypt's Aviation Advancements
NASA's Artemis II Delayed to 2026, While Saudi Arabia Advances Cultural and Humanitarian Initiatives
Key Global Developments: Saudi Oil Price Adjustments, Surging Makkah Tourism, Syrian Conflict Shifts, and Saudi Pro League Highlights
Global Shifts: Diplomatic Talks, Economic Growth, and Regional Upheavals Reshape the Geopolitical Landscape
Insurgents Enter Damascus as Assad's Regime Faces Historic Collapse
Global Political Shifts: Defense Enhancements, Diplomatic Missions, and Civic Engagement Initiatives
Diplomatic Efforts Highlight Regional Tensions and Cooperation at IISS Manama Dialogue Amidst Humanitarian and Natural Crises
From Gulf Diplomacy to Global Resilience: Key Developments Shaping Regional and International Landscapes
Saudi Arabia Intensifies Immigration Control, Strengthens Diplomatic and Cultural Engagements
Global Political Tensions and Ambitious Developments Amid Regional Security Challenges
Philippines Celebrates Extensive Christmas Season; Saudi Innovations in Maritime Safety, Tourism, and Global Diplomacy; Healthcare Advancements and Regional Tensions Also Spotlighted
PIA Returns to European Skies Amid Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 and COP16 Initiatives
Global Tensions Rise: Strategic Wins, Diplomatic Strains, and Humanitarian Crises Test Resilience
Global Political Turmoil and Humanitarian Efforts: A Snapshot of International Developments
Tensions and Triumphs: A Global Overview of Diplomatic Efforts, Geological Risks, Corporate Security, Military DEI Debates, Middle Eastern Conflicts, and Notre Dame's Resilient Reopening
Global Developments: Ghana's Election, UK's Smuggling Crackdown, Syrian Conflict Escalation, and US Supreme Court's Jurisdictional Case
Global Conflicts and Humanitarian Crises: A Snapshot of Recent International Developments
Saudi Arabia's Innovations in Marine Science, Arts, Film, Technology, Volunteerism, and Medical Education
Iran's Space Launch Fuels Western Concerns Amid Global Political Unrest
×