Iranian singer’s 74 lashes for performing without a hijab ‘a form of torture’, say rights groups

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Published: 2026-09-30T11:21:11.604Z • Permanent link

Iranian authorities have upheld a sentence of 74 lashes against Parastoo Ahmadi, a 29-year-old singer, and other musicians who flouted the hijab law in a crackdown on women deemed to have compromised modesty. The decision was made by an Iranian court following a long-standing campaign against women who refuse to wear the mandatory headscarf in public. Iranian singer Sattar Shahbazi, who was also found guilty of not wearing a hijab, received a 70 lash sentence. Parastoo Ahmadi's sentence was upheld in a decision that highlights the continued enforcement of strict Islamic laws in Iran, despite growing international pressure on the regime to relax its restrictions on women's rights.

Human rights groups have condemned the decision, with the Iranian Centre for Human Rights calling it "a form of torture". Iranian authorities have long been criticized for their harsh treatment of those who defy the hijab law, with many women being arrested and imprisoned for their refusal to wear the headscarf. The Iranian government has justified its actions, citing the need to protect Iranian women from Western influence and promote modesty in public. However, critics argue that the regime is using the hijab law as a tool to exert control over women's bodies and suppress their rights.

The Iranian government has also been accused of using the hijab law to silence opposition voices and stifle dissent. Many Iranian women have been arrested and imprisoned for their vocal opposition to the regime's human rights abuses, including their refusal to wear the hijab. The case of Parastoo Ahmadi and Sattar Shahbazi has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for the Iranian government to relax its restrictions on women's rights and allow them to make their own choices about their clothing.

The Iranian government's crackdown on women who refuse to wear the hijab has significant implications for the global tech industry. Many major tech companies, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter, have faced criticism for their handling of Iranian users' rights, with some accusing the companies of failing to do enough to protect Iranian women from harassment and persecution. The Iranian government's use of strict Islamic laws to suppress women's rights has also raised concerns about the potential for similar crackdowns in other countries, including the United States.

The Iranian government's actions have also sparked a wider debate about the role of tech companies in regulating online content and protecting users' rights. Many researchers have called for tech companies to do more to prevent the spread of misinformation and propaganda online, particularly in countries where human rights abuses are prevalent. The case of Parastoo Ahmadi and Sattar Shahbazi has highlighted the need for tech companies to take a stronger stance on human rights issues and to protect users' rights, particularly in countries where the regime is actively working to suppress dissent.

The Iranian government's crackdown on women who refuse to wear the hijab is part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses in the country. The Iranian regime has been accused of using torture, arbitrary detention, and forced disappearances to silence opposition voices and suppress dissent. The regime has also been criticized for its treatment of minority groups, including Baha'is, Christians, and Sunni Muslims, who are subjected to persecution and harassment.