European Democrats stand with Parastoo Ahmadi and Iranian women in Brussels
Around thirty people gathered in Brussels, in front of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, for a sit-in organised in support of Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi and all women in Iran who continue to fight for freedom, dignity and fundamental rights.
The gathering brought together representatives of the European Democratic Party, elected officials, citizens, members of the Iranian diaspora and Iranian dissidents, united by a simple message: singing is not a crime, and the voice of a woman must never be condemned to silence.
Parastoo Ahmadi has become a symbol of resistance after performing in 2024 without wearing the hijab. For this act, an Iranian court sentenced her to 74 lashes. For the participants in the Brussels sit-in, this sentence is not justice, but a brutal attempt to punish a woman for exercising her freedom.
The sit-in also recalled the strength of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which has shown the world the courage of millions of Iranians calling for change. In response, the Iranian regime has continued to impose repression, punish dissent and silence women, artists and civil society.
Sandro Gozi, Member of the European Parliament and Secretary General of the European Democratic Party, said that the Iranian regime “believes it can govern through fear, lashes and repression”. He added: “By condemning Parastoo Ahmadi for singing, it is not only punishing an artist: it is attacking freedom, dignity and the rights of all women. Her voice is not a crime. It has become a symbol of the courage of millions of Iranians who refuse to submit. Europe must stand with them, without ambiguity, increase pressure on the regime and defend those who risk their freedom for justice.”
Pina Picierno, Vice-President of the European Parliament, strongly denounced the sentence against Parastoo Ahmadi. “A woman sang at a concert without wearing the hijab. That is all she did. And yet an Iranian court sentenced her to 74 lashes. This is not justice: it is punishing a woman simply for existing,” she said.
Picierno also called on Europe to draw political consequences from the way the Iranian regime treats women. “Human rights cannot be excluded from any agreement: they must be an essential condition. We call for the immediate suspension of the sentence against Parastoo. This regime cannot continue to violate women’s rights and human rights,” she added.
Yvan Verougstraete, Member of the European Parliament and President of Les Engagés, underlined that the repression of artists and women in Iran concerns all democrats. “Singing is not a crime. The lashes will never erase a song, nor the aspiration of a people to live freely. From Europe, our duty is not to look away. To all Iranian women, we say today: you are not alone. Your fight is also ours,” he said.
The European Democratic Party reiterated its full solidarity with Parastoo Ahmadi, with Iranian women, with artists persecuted for their freedom of expression, and with all those in Iran who continue to resist repression.
Her voice is not a crime. Freedom is not negotiable.
