The Iranian officials, on Sunday (July 16) announced that it will relaunch patrols by the so-called morality police in a bid to enforce the hijab rule after a reported increasing number of women leaving their hair uncovered in public. The announcement was made less than a year after the death of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-of-iranian-woman-after-arrest-by-moral-police-unforgivable-white-house-516956">Mahsa Amini</a>, whose alleged death in police custody had sparked nationwide protests.

<h2>Morality police back on Iranian streets</h2>

The announcement was made by the Iranian law enforcement spokesperson, Saeid Montazeralmahdi who said that police patrols were now operational on foot and with vehicles who would resume notifying and detaining women for not wearing a hijab in public.&nbsp;

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iranian-state-media-seems-to-dismiss-reports-morality-police-is-being-abolished-540022">morality police</a> would “issue warnings and then introduce to the judicial system people who unfortunately insist on their norm-breaking behaviour without concern for the consequences of their covering that is outside of the norm,” &nbsp;Montazeralmahdi was quoted as saying by the state media.&nbsp;

According to a report by Al Jazeera, the officers have been tasked to warn both women and men to crack down on people whose covering is not deemed appropriate in the Islamic Republic. However, following the nationwide protests, morality police had largely disappeared from the Iranian streets.&nbsp;

But it was not the end of Iranian officials’ bid to enforce the dress code which has been in place since the aftermath of the Islamic revolution of 1979. Over the months, Tehran deployed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/iran-finds-new-methods-to-enforce-hijab-law-calls-it-a-legal-issue-reports-550523">other measures</a> like closure of businesses whose staff do not adhere to the rules and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-to-install-surveillance-cameras-in-public-places-to-nab-unveiled-women-580663">installing cameras</a> in public places to track down offenders.

According to a report by the Associated Press, on Sunday, Iranian officials returned to the traditional ways where men and women of the morality police could be seen patrolling the streets in marked vans.&nbsp;

<h2>Recent arrests</h2>

Last week, the police arrested Mohammed Sadeghi, a young and relatively unknown actor after a raid on his home after he posted a video in response to another online video. The footage showed a woman being detained by the morality police, and Sadeghi, in his response wrote “Believe me, if I see such a scene, I might commit murder,” &nbsp;as per the AP.

While the punishment for violating the dress code of the Islamic Republic is fines or prison terms of up to two months. Iran’s reformist newspaper Shargh, on Sunday, also reported that four women received additional punishment which included attending “psychological classes” as well as driving bans.

<h2>Less than a year after protests</h2>

The announcement of the relaunch of the so-called morality police happened exactly 10 months after the September 16 death of Amini, an Iranian Kurd who died allegedly after being taken into custody for supposedly violating the dress code.&nbsp;

The 22-year-old’s death sparked nationwide <a href="https://www.wionews.com/middle-east/watch-protests-erupt-in-mahsa-aminis-hometown-amid-rise-in-school-attacks-reports-580934">protests</a> against the country’s hijab law and the morality police. More than 500 protesters and dozens of security personnel were killed and nearly 20,000 detained during these protests, which as of earlier this year have died down following a heavy crackdown. The Iranian government had also labelled them foreign-instigated “riots.”&nbsp;

 
(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The Iranian officials, on Sunday (July 16) announced that it will relaunch patrols by the so-called morality police in a bid to enforce the hijab rule after a reported increasing number of women leaving their hair uncovered in public.

The Iranian officials, on Sunday (July 16) announced that it will relaunch patrols by the so-called morality police in a bid to enforce the hijab rule after a reported increasing number of women leaving their hair uncovered in public. The announcement was made less than a year after the death of Mahsa Amini, whose alleged death in police custody had sparked nationwide protests. Morality police back on Iranian streets The announcement was made by the Iranian law enforcement spokesperson, Saeid Montazeralmahdi who said that police patrols were now operational on foot and with vehicles who would resume notifying and detaining women for not wearing a hijab in public. The morality police would “issue warnings and then introduce to the judicial system people who unfortunately insist on their norm-breaking behaviour without concern for the consequences of their covering that is outside of the norm,” Montazeralmahdi was quoted as saying by the state media. According to a report by Al Jazeera, the officers have been tasked to warn both women and men to crack down on people whose covering is not deemed appropriate in the Islamic Republic. However, following the nationwide protests, morality police had largely disappeared from the Iranian streets. But it was not the end of Iranian officials’ bid to enforce the dress code which has been in place since the aftermath of the Islamic revolution of 1979. Over the months, Tehran deployed other measures like closure of businesses whose staff do not adhere to the rules and installing cameras in public places to track down offenders. According to a report by the Associated Press, on Sunday, Iranian officials returned to the traditional ways where men and women of the morality police could be seen patrolling the streets in marked vans. Recent arrests Last week, the police arrested Mohammed Sadeghi, a young and relatively unknown actor after a raid on his home after he posted a video in response to another online video. The footage showed a woman being detained by the morality police, and Sadeghi, in his response wrote “Believe me, if I see such a scene, I might commit murder,” as per the AP. While the punishment for violating the dress code of the Islamic Republic is fines or prison terms of up to two months. Iran’s reformist newspaper Shargh, on Sunday, also reported that four women received additional punishment which included attending “psychological classes” as well as driving bans. Less than a year after protests The announcement of the relaunch of the so-called morality police happened exactly 10 months after the September 16 death of Amini, an Iranian Kurd who died allegedly after being taken into custody for supposedly violating the dress code. The 22-year-old’s death sparked nationwide protests against the country’s hijab law and the morality police. More than 500 protesters and dozens of security personnel were killed and nearly 20,000 detained during these protests, which as of earlier this year have died down following a heavy crackdown. The Iranian government had also labelled them foreign-instigated “riots.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Iran’s 'morality police' returns to enforce hijab law, months after nationwide protests

Lebanese police clashed with anti-government protesters in Beirut late Saturday, firing tear gas to prevent them from breaching barricades near parliament, ahead of talks next week to appoint a new premier.

Lebanese police clashed with anti-government protesters in Beirut late Saturday, firing tear gas to prevent them from breaching barricades near parliament, ahead of talks next week to appoint a new premier. Lebanon has been swept by unprecedented nationwide protests since October 17, demanding the complete overhaul of a political class deemed inept and corrupt. The government stepped down on October 29, but bitterly divided political parties have subsequently failed to agree on a new premier, although talks are now planned for Monday. Saturday's clashes erupted at the entrance to the street leading to parliament, which was blocked by security forces. Images broadcast by local TV channel LBC showed the anti-government protesters trying to break through metal police barricades, and officers firing tear gas and beating them. The demonstrators overturned heavy flower pots and shouted slogans hostile to the security forces and parliament speaker Nabih Berri, the footage showed. Clashes followed in Martyrs Square -- the epicentre of protests since October -- and on a bridge in the city centre, according to an AFP photographer. Security forces fired rubber bullets, while protesters threw stones, the photographer said. Protesters were injured by batons while others passed out due to the intensity of tear gas fumes, and members of the security forces were also wounded, the photographer said. The Lebanese Red Cross said on Twitter that it had taken 10 people to hospital and provided care to 33 people on the ground. It told AFP people had been treated for breathing difficulties and fainting, along with injuries caused by stones, noting that security personnel and civilians were among those treated. Lebanese civil defence also said it took 10 people to hospital, but did not specify whether the affected were civilians or members of the security forces.

Lebanese police clash with anti-government protesters

Ten people were killed during street protests in Iran on Sunday, state television said on Monday.

The nationwide protests have drawn in tens of thousands of people and represent the boldest challenge to Iran`s leadership since pro-reform unrest in 2009. Calls for more demonstrations on Monday raised the possibility of prolonged instability.

&quot;In the events of last night, unfortunately, a total of about 10 people were killed in several cities,&quot; state television said while showing footage of damage from the demonstrations. It gave no further details of the deaths.

Unsigned statements posted on social media urged Iranians to demonstrate again in the capital Tehran and 50 other urban centres.

Iran is a major OPEC oil producer and regional power but frustrations have grown at home while the country is deeply involved in Syria and Iraq as part of a battle for influence with rival Saudi Arabia.

Those foreign interventions are also fueling anger in the Islamic Republic because Iranians want their leaders to create jobs instead of engaging in costly proxy wars.

The unrest erupted in the second city of Mashhad against price rises but it swiftly spread and turned into political rallies.&nbsp;

Some called on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down and chanted against a government they described as thieves.

Demonstrators say they are angry over corruption and economic hardship in a country where youth unemployment reached 28.8 percent last year.

Protests continued overnight even though President Hassan Rouhani appealed for calm. In remarks carried on state TV, he said Iranians had the right to criticise authorities but also warned of a crackdown.

&quot;The government will show no tolerance for those who damage public properties, violate public order and create unrest in the society,&quot; Rouhani said. Hundreds of people have been arrested but security forces have largely shown restraint.

Iran`s leaders believe they can count on support from many of the generation that took part in the 1979 revolution because of their ideological commitment and the economic gains they have made under the government, analysts say.

Social media restrictions

Two people were shot dead in the southwestern town of Izeh on Sunday and several others were injured, ILNA news agency quoted a member of parliament as saying. It was not clear if the two dead were part of the 10 cited on state television.

&quot;I do not know whether yesterday`s shooting was done by rally participants or the police and this issue is being investigated,&quot; Hedayatollah Khademi was quoted as saying.

Regional governor Mostafa Samali told the semi-official news agency Fars that just one person had been killed and that the incident was unrelated to the protests and the alleged shooter had been arrested.

Police in the centre of Tehran fired water cannon on Sunday to try to disperse demonstrators, according to pictures on social media.

Demonstrations turned violent in Shahin Shahr in central Iran. Videos showed protesters attacking the police, turning over a car and setting it on fire. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the footage.

There were also reports of demonstrations in the western cities of Sanandaj and Kermanshah as well as Chabahar in the southeast and Ilam and Izeh in the southwest.

The protests were the biggest since unrest in 2009 that followed the disputed re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Videos showed people in central Tehran chanting: &quot;Down with the dictator!&quot; in an apparent reference to Khamenei.

Protesters in Khorramabad in western Iran shouted: &quot;Khamenei, shame on you, leave the country alone!&quot;

The government said it would temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging app and Instagram, owned by Facebook Inc, state television said. There were also reports that mobile access to the internet was being blocked in some areas.

&quot;Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!&quot; U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday.

Rouhani said earlier the U.S. president had no right to sympathize with Iranians since he &quot;called the Iranian nation terrorists a few months ago&quot;.

Israel`s intelligence minister on Monday voiced encouragement for the protests but said Israeli policy was not to get involved in Tehran`s internal affairs.

Those foreign interventions are also fueling anger in the Islamic Republic because Iranians want their leaders to create jobs instead of engaging in costly proxy wars.

Ten people were killed during street protests in Iran on Sunday, state television said on Monday. The nationwide protests have drawn in tens of thousands of people and represent the boldest challenge to Iran`s leadership since pro-reform unrest in 2009. Calls for more demonstrations on Monday raised the possibility of prolonged instability. "In the events of last night, unfortunately, a total of about 10 people were killed in several cities," state television said while showing footage of damage from the demonstrations. It gave no further details of the deaths. Unsigned statements posted on social media urged Iranians to demonstrate again in the capital Tehran and 50 other urban centres. Iran is a major OPEC oil producer and regional power but frustrations have grown at home while the country is deeply involved in Syria and Iraq as part of a battle for influence with rival Saudi Arabia. Those foreign interventions are also fueling anger in the Islamic Republic because Iranians want their leaders to create jobs instead of engaging in costly proxy wars. The unrest erupted in the second city of Mashhad against price rises but it swiftly spread and turned into political rallies. Some called on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down and chanted against a government they described as thieves. Demonstrators say they are angry over corruption and economic hardship in a country where youth unemployment reached 28.8 percent last year. Protests continued overnight even though President Hassan Rouhani appealed for calm. In remarks carried on state TV, he said Iranians had the right to criticise authorities but also warned of a crackdown. "The government will show no tolerance for those who damage public properties, violate public order and create unrest in the society," Rouhani said. Hundreds of people have been arrested but security forces have largely shown restraint. Iran`s leaders believe they can count on support from many of the generation that took part in the 1979 revolution because of their ideological commitment and the economic gains they have made under the government, analysts say. Social media restrictions Two people were shot dead in the southwestern town of Izeh on Sunday and several others were injured, ILNA news agency quoted a member of parliament as saying. It was not clear if the two dead were part of the 10 cited on state television. "I do not know whether yesterday`s shooting was done by rally participants or the police and this issue is being investigated," Hedayatollah Khademi was quoted as saying. Regional governor Mostafa Samali told the semi-official news agency Fars that just one person had been killed and that the incident was unrelated to the protests and the alleged shooter had been arrested. Police in the centre of Tehran fired water cannon on Sunday to try to disperse demonstrators, according to pictures on social media. Demonstrations turned violent in Shahin Shahr in central Iran. Videos showed protesters attacking the police, turning over a car and setting it on fire. Reuters could not immediately verify the authenticity of the footage. There were also reports of demonstrations in the western cities of Sanandaj and Kermanshah as well as Chabahar in the southeast and Ilam and Izeh in the southwest. The protests were the biggest since unrest in 2009 that followed the disputed re-election of then-President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Videos showed people in central Tehran chanting: "Down with the dictator!" in an apparent reference to Khamenei. Protesters in Khorramabad in western Iran shouted: "Khamenei, shame on you, leave the country alone!" The government said it would temporarily restrict access to the Telegram messaging app and Instagram, owned by Facebook Inc, state television said. There were also reports that mobile access to the internet was being blocked in some areas. "Iran, the Number One State of Sponsored Terror with numerous violations of Human Rights occurring on an hourly basis, has now closed down the Internet so that peaceful demonstrators cannot communicate. Not good!" U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday. Rouhani said earlier the U.S. president had no right to sympathize with Iranians since he "called the Iranian nation terrorists a few months ago". Israel`s intelligence minister on Monday voiced encouragement for the protests but said Israeli policy was not to get involved in Tehran`s internal affairs.

Ten people killed in Iran unrest on Sunday: State television

Forty people were hurt and dozens arrested on Tuesday as violence between riot police and masked troublemakers gripped huge Paris protests over France&#39;s labour reforms. 
 
Police fired water cannons in the south of the French capital to quell rioters as &quot;several hundred&quot; masked protesters lobbed objects at security forces. 
 
As tens of thousands of people took to the streets in nationwide protests against the controversial labour reforms, strikes closed the Eiffel Tower and disrupted transport links. 
 
Police said 29 members of the security forces were among those wounded in Paris, while three cars were burned on the city streets. 
 
The international spotlight is on France as the host of the Euro 2016 football championships, which has&nbsp;also been marred by violence between fans. 
 
Tens of thousands of fans are continuing to pour into the country for Europe&#39;s showcase football event. 
 
In Paris, several demonstrators stormed a building site and hurled wooden pallets at riot police. 
 
Protesters shouting &quot;Paris, rise up&quot; and &quot;everyone hates the police&quot; smashed shop windows and targeted banks in running battles with officers. 
 
One man was led away by officers in riot gear with blood dripping from a wound above his eye onto his white T-shirt. 
 
The strikes were the latest in months of industrial action that have caused severe disruptions to air and rail transport, hit fuel supplies and led to mountains of rubbish on the streets of Paris. 
 
&quot;I&#39;ve been to all the demos since March because I want to live in dignity, not just survive,&quot; said Aurelien Boukelmoune, a 26-year-old technician marching in Paris. 
 
&quot;I want the reforms to be withdrawn, pure and simple. Only then will it stop. For the government&#39;s sake, they should withdraw the law, otherwise we&#39;ll block the economy.&quot; 
 
Police and organisers gave wildly different figures for the turnout, with unions saying 1.3 million people had turned out across France but police estimating the crowds at 125,000 or more, some 80,000 of them in Paris. 
 
High alert 
 
With France on high alert over fears of attacks during Euro 2016, overstretched security forces had feared the demonstrations could turn violent and banned 130 known troublemakers from taking part. 
 
The terrorism threat was thrust back into the spotlight after a man claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group stabbed to death a deputy police chief and his wife, who also worked for the police,&nbsp;at their home in a northwestern Paris suburb late on Monday. 
 
The latest in a wave of protests that began in March coincides with a French Senate debate on the reforms, which are aimed at making the job market more flexible and reducing high unemployment but which critics see as too pro-business. 
 
President Francois Hollande&#39;s Socialist government voiced hope the latest day of protest would be a last stand for the movement. 
 
Philippe Martinez, head of the far-left CGT union that spearheaded last month&#39;s blockades of fuel depots and an ongoing rail strike, had promised a &quot;very strong mobilisation&quot;. 
 
In Marseille, organisers said 140,000 turned out, compared with a police estimate of 5,000. 
 
Two further protest days are set for later this month. 
 
Tourism hit 
 
At a time when the French capital would normally be reaping the benefits of high-season tourism boosted by the football, the demonstrations have dampened the flow to the world&#39;s most-visited city. 
 
Several staff at the Eiffel Tower went on strike, leaving insufficient numbers to open the monument safely, according to its operator, SETE. 
 
Adding to the climate of discontent, rail workers continued strike action to protest working conditions. They were joined at the weekend by a minority of Air France pilots. 
 
The pilots&#39; strike, which affected about one in five flights according to the airline, was set to end on Tuesday, while the rolling strike at national rail company SNCF was in its 14th day. 
 
The actions have further depressed France&#39;s tourism sector, already hit by the November attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead. 
 
Hollande, who faces a re-election bid next April, had hoped the signature reform would reverse his approval ratings, which are among the worst of a modern French leader. 
 
His government sparked fury when it pushed the reforms through parliament without a vote, with a little-used political device. 
 
While rejecting union demands to withdraw the bill, the government has watered it down, notably by scrapping a cap on severance pay. 
(AFP)

Strikes in response to new 'pro business' laws have united French workers across different sectors in disrupting the economy

Forty people were hurt and dozens arrested on Tuesday as violence between riot police and masked troublemakers gripped huge Paris protests over France's labour reforms. Police fired water cannons in the south of the French capital to quell rioters as "several hundred" masked protesters lobbed objects at security forces. As tens of thousands of people took to the streets in nationwide protests against the controversial labour reforms, strikes closed the Eiffel Tower and disrupted transport links. Police said 29 members of the security forces were among those wounded in Paris, while three cars were burned on the city streets. The international spotlight is on France as the host of the Euro 2016 football championships, which has also been marred by violence between fans. Tens of thousands of fans are continuing to pour into the country for Europe's showcase football event. In Paris, several demonstrators stormed a building site and hurled wooden pallets at riot police. Protesters shouting "Paris, rise up" and "everyone hates the police" smashed shop windows and targeted banks in running battles with officers. One man was led away by officers in riot gear with blood dripping from a wound above his eye onto his white T-shirt. The strikes were the latest in months of industrial action that have caused severe disruptions to air and rail transport, hit fuel supplies and led to mountains of rubbish on the streets of Paris. "I've been to all the demos since March because I want to live in dignity, not just survive," said Aurelien Boukelmoune, a 26-year-old technician marching in Paris. "I want the reforms to be withdrawn, pure and simple. Only then will it stop. For the government's sake, they should withdraw the law, otherwise we'll block the economy." Police and organisers gave wildly different figures for the turnout, with unions saying 1.3 million people had turned out across France but police estimating the crowds at 125,000 or more, some 80,000 of them in Paris. High alert With France on high alert over fears of attacks during Euro 2016, overstretched security forces had feared the demonstrations could turn violent and banned 130 known troublemakers from taking part. The terrorism threat was thrust back into the spotlight after a man claiming allegiance to the Islamic State group stabbed to death a deputy police chief and his wife, who also worked for the police, at their home in a northwestern Paris suburb late on Monday. The latest in a wave of protests that began in March coincides with a French Senate debate on the reforms, which are aimed at making the job market more flexible and reducing high unemployment but which critics see as too pro-business. President Francois Hollande's Socialist government voiced hope the latest day of protest would be a last stand for the movement. Philippe Martinez, head of the far-left CGT union that spearheaded last month's blockades of fuel depots and an ongoing rail strike, had promised a "very strong mobilisation". In Marseille, organisers said 140,000 turned out, compared with a police estimate of 5,000. Two further protest days are set for later this month. Tourism hit At a time when the French capital would normally be reaping the benefits of high-season tourism boosted by the football, the demonstrations have dampened the flow to the world's most-visited city. Several staff at the Eiffel Tower went on strike, leaving insufficient numbers to open the monument safely, according to its operator, SETE. Adding to the climate of discontent, rail workers continued strike action to protest working conditions. They were joined at the weekend by a minority of Air France pilots. The pilots' strike, which affected about one in five flights according to the airline, was set to end on Tuesday, while the rolling strike at national rail company SNCF was in its 14th day. The actions have further depressed France's tourism sector, already hit by the November attacks in Paris that left 130 people dead. Hollande, who faces a re-election bid next April, had hoped the signature reform would reverse his approval ratings, which are among the worst of a modern French leader. His government sparked fury when it pushed the reforms through parliament without a vote, with a little-used political device. While rejecting union demands to withdraw the bill, the government has watered it down, notably by scrapping a cap on severance pay. (AFP)

France labour reforms protest turns violent, 40 hurt in Paris

nationwide-protests

Nationwide Protests, News on Nationwide Protests, stories on Nationwide Protests, articles on Nationwide Protests, Nationwide Protests stories at Wion, Nationwide Protests news, Nationwide Protests latest news