The print media are enjoying considerable new freedom, and it has been reported that some 1,000 new newspapers and journals have been licensed since Khatami became president. The constitution permits public assembly as long as it does not violate the principles of Islam. Thousands of protesters against the prosecution of Karbaschi were dispersed, at times violently, by riot police in April. Hardline militants attacked some 2,000 mourners of slain dissidents Dariush and Parvaneh Forouhar in December. As police restored order, they arrested a number of the mourners, but no militants.
Women face discrimination in legal, educational, and employment matters.
Women s rights provided yet another arena in the battle between hardliners and moderates, and the issue has gained increasing prominence since Khatami s election. In a positive development, the majlis passed a law in November allowing judges to award custody of minor children to the mother in divorce cases. In a break with taboo, women attended celebrations of the national soccer team s advancement to the World Cup alongside men, and openly flouted the dress code without penalty. Women may be fined, imprisoned, or lashed for violating Islamic dress codes, though enforcement of these provisions slackened somewhat this year. Unlike women in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, Iranian women may vote, stand for public office, and drive.