Human Rights Media Report the Summoning of Seven Female Singers in Behbahan by Security Agencies

Human rights media reported the summoning of seven female singers in Behbahan by security agencies. According to Harana, a human rights activist media outlet in Iran, on Wednesday, April 27, it was reported that seven female singers residing in Behbahan were summoned and interrogated by the Intelligence of the IRGC and the Basij of Behbahan on April 24 and 25. The seven women, named 'Elham Ahadi, Mahsan Ehtirami, Negin Mansouri-Nejad, Azardokht Taherpour, Ramesh Seyed, Mojdeh Nasiri, and Zolfa Jamashiani', were forced to sign a commitment letter prohibiting them from 'solo singing, participating in women's gatherings, playing instruments, and sharing artistic activities on social media' after their interrogation. In recent months, a new wave of pressure and restrictions against female artists and singers in Iran has begun, to the extent that the Instagram accounts of several female singers have been blocked by judicial orders, and some have been summoned and interrogated. Ayatollah Iazi, a Shia cleric, stated that there is no difference between men and women in singing. Security and judicial officials often pursue and arrest female artists on charges such as 'promoting corruption' or 'propaganda against the regime'. Solo singing by women has been banned in Iran since the early years of the Islamic Republic's establishment. Harana's report also cited an 'informed source' close to the family of one of these citizens, stating that 'during the interrogations, discussions were held about political views and a series of short stories related to social and political issues they had shared with some of these women. Additionally, the mobile phones of some of them were inspected during the interrogation.' The crackdown on female artists and singers continues despite some progressive clerics emphasizing that there is no religious prohibition in this regard. Ayatollah Mohammad Ali Iazi, a Shia cleric and member of the Society of Teachers and Researchers of Qom Seminary, stated in an interview that there is no difference between men and women in singing and that half of the society with talent should not be deprived. He emphasized that recent actions are meant to influence the political situation and the demands of society for resolution.