Bill Text: NJ AR175 | 2022-2023 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Expresses support for women in Iran and recognizes bravery and efforts of protestors.
Sponsorship: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-02-06 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Women and Children Committee [AR175 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2022-AR175-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman DANIEL R. BENSON
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
Assemblyman STERLEY S. STANLEY
District 18 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Expresses support for women in Iran and recognizes bravery and efforts of protestors.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution supporting the women of Iran and recognizing the bravery and efforts of the protestors in response to the death of Jina "Mahsa" Amini while in detention by Iran's morality police.
Whereas, The women of Iran have advocated for their own fundamental rights, like freedom of expression, for many years; and
Whereas, The dress code imposed on women by the government in Iran has changed throughout the years; and
Whereas, Reza Shah Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran from 1925 to 1941, officially banned the veil in 1936, with this being known as "women's awakening;" and
Whereas, The son of Reza Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, allowed women to appear in public both veiled and unveiled until he was overthrown in 1979; and
Whereas, The 1979 Iranian Revolution brought about the Islamic Republic of Iran, with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini becoming the new leader and requiring women to wear the veil in public; and
Whereas, Protests took place on International Women's Day in 1979 to challenge the proposed laws, and protests have continued to address the mandatory veiling code; and
Whereas, Since 1983, the hijab law has become more strict, requiring all women, including non-Muslims and foreign visitors, to wear a hijab in public; and
Whereas, The "Gasht-e-Ershad," a unit of Iran's police force established under former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and widely known as the "morality police," has patrolled the streets to enforce the dress code imposed on women since about 2006; and
Whereas, The "morality police" have been the subject of longstanding criticism for issuing arbitrary penalties, arrests, and beatings; and
Whereas, On September 13, 2022, 22-year-old Jina "Mahsa" Amini was arrested by the "morality police" for not following the strict dress code and "wearing the hijab improperly;" and
Whereas, Amini died while in police custody in a hospital in Tehran, with eyewitnesses reporting her death being a result of police brutality; and
Whereas, Protests were sparked by the death of Amini, with the slogan "Women, Life, Freedom" as the core message; and
Whereas, Despite the hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests that took place during demonstrations over the death of Amini, protestors are still bravely fighting for women's rights in Iran; now, therefore,
Be It
Resolved by the General Assembly of the State
of New Jersey:
1. This House expresses support for the women of Iran and recognizes the bravery and efforts of the protestors in response to the death of Jina "Mahsa" Amini while in detention by Iran's morality police.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the Executive Director of UN Women, the United States Special Envoy for Iran, and the Director of the Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the United States.
STATEMENT
This resolution expresses support for the women of Iran in response to the death of Jina "Mahsa" Amini while in detention by Iran's morality police.
The dress code in Iran has changed many times throughout the last century. Reza Shah Pahlavi banned the veil in 1936, but his son Mohammad Reza Pahlavi later abolished this ban which allowed for women to appear in public either veiled or unveiled. After the Iranian Revolution in 1979, and the resulting leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, women were required to wear the veil. This requirement has sparked protests throughout the years. In 1983, the dress code grew stricter to require all women, including non-Muslim and foreign visitors, to wear a hijab when in public. The morality police, who have been the subject of longstanding criticism for issuing arbtirary punishments, have patrolled the public to ensure the dress code is properly followed since about 2006.
On September 13, 2022, 22-year-old Jina "Mahsa" Amini was arrested by Iran's morality police for not following this strict dress code by "wearing her hijab improperly," and died in police custody three days later. Eyewitnesses reported that the death of Amini was a result of police brutality. Protests, with the slogan of "Women, Life, Freedom," erupted after news of this event. Protestors have bravely continued their efforts for women's rights despite numerous deaths and arrests.
Consequently, this resolution recognizes the bravery and efforts of the protestors.
