Joy is a very dangerous thing in certain parts of the world, kids. Back in May, six young adults living in the Iranian capital of Tehran were arrested on charges of obscene behaviour. Their grievous crime? The filmed a video of themselves dancing, smiling, and generally having a good time, set to Pharrell Williams’ smash hit of the year “Happy,” which they subsequently uploaded to YouTube. That’s it. That’s all they did. Nothing more.
Now not only have they all been found guilty of the charges laid against them, but the sentences handed down to them are manifestly grotesque – even by Iran’s hyper-conservative, heavy-handed legal standards.
The six young people have all been handed sentences of six months prison, and NINETY ONE lashes – thankfully, all wholly suspended. Another man involved with the video in a larger capacity faced “heavier charges” and was sentenced to one year in prison, along with the same punishment of 91 lashes – again, wholly suspended.
The women in the clip drew the ire of the law for appearing bare-headed, which is a violation of Islamic dress code laws that are strictly enforced within Iran.
The arrests drew widespread condemnation from across the world, including from Pharrell Williams himself. Even the Iranian President weighed in the debate with a certain level of disapproval.
‘Course, one wonders why he didn’t step in and do something about the whole thing – what with being the President and all. But that’s neither here nor there at this particular junction.
The sentences are suspended in full for three years. If the adults charged are found guilty of similar offences within that time period, then the sentence will be carried out.
But even with them remaining free, levelling suspended sentences – a veritable Sword of Damocles, if you will – at them over what amounts to embracing an emotion in a manner in which we’re all accustomed to doing without so much as a second thought, really gives you some sort of perspective on just how different and cruel some parts of the world still have the capacity to be.
For records’ sake, here’s the crime as it happened.
