Iran's Presidential Candidates Slammed for Silence on Morality Police

Iranian activists and commentators are criticizing presidential election candidates for failing to clearly state their position on the notorious Morality Police. 

The patrols, tasked with enforcing strict dress codes, have faced widespread public backlash.

"The presidential candidates do not accept responsibility for the Morality Police to get votes," wrote reformist political activist Abbas Abdi. 

Abdi noted that around half the electorate already said they would not vote, and "they rightly think that defending this Morality Police will cause their vote to fall in the other half. This means accepting these people against the overwhelming majority of people's opposition to the Morality Police."

Sociologist Mohammad Fazli echoed similar sentiments in his post on X, questioning why hardline candidates do not openly back the Morality Police if public support is truly on their side as claimed. 

"They know that they have an unreasonable claim," Fazli added.

Media activist Alireza Moezi highlighted the backlash over enforcement measures like fines, car confiscations, and business closures under the policies, writing, "It has had such negative and deep feedback that even the most extreme forces are not able to defend it openly, and they have no choice but to play with words."

A new enforcement of severe measures began on April 13, just hours before Iran launched hundreds of suicide drones and missiles at Israel.

Across Iran, there have been numerous reports of women being arrested and subjected to the use of force due to perceived violations of mandatory dress codes.

Users across social networks have participated in a spontaneous campaign using the hashtag "war against women" to document their experiences and observations regarding the government's crackdown on the opponents of mandatory hijab.

Reports have surfaced detailing the use of repressive tactics, particularly on female students in various universities.

Moreover, pressure has also been mounting on civil activists, political dissenters, women political prisoners, and cultural figures.

The new crackdown comes almost two years after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for her alleged "improper" hijab. 

The death of 22-year-old Amini unleashed months of mass protests across Iran and marked the biggest challenge to the country's clerical leaders since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. 

More than 500 people were killed as the Islamic Republic fought back against the protesters, who gained support from around the world. 

In March, a fact-finding mission mandated by the United Nations said the death of Amini in the custody of Iran's morality police was "unlawful," and women in the country remain subject to wide-ranging discrimination.