UN demands Iran drop 'demeaning' new hijab law

GENEVA, Sept 22 (AFP): The UN called Friday on Iranian authorities to scrap a new law that dramatically increases penalties for women who flout strict Islamic dress code, describing it as "repressive and demeaning".

The United Nations rights office said it deeply regretted the passage of the so-called Chastity and Hijab Bill, which threatens Iranian women who flout the strict Islamic dress code mandating head coverings and modest clothing with up to 10 years behind bars.

The law "vastly increases jail terms and provides for crushing fines on women and girls who do not obey the compulsory dress code," spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in Geneva.