In a significant rebuke to Tehran’s theocratic leadership, Narges Mohammadi, a prominent Iranian women’s rights advocate, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize while incarcerated. The recognition comes as a boost for anti-government protesters and signals support for those participating in recent unprecedented demonstrations in Iran.
The Nobel Committee, in announcing the prize, highlighted Mohammadi’s three-decade-long advocacy for women’s rights and her campaign against the death penalty. The committee also called for the release of the 51-year-old activist, who has become a symbol of resilience in the face of oppression.
Berit Reiss-Andersen, head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, conveyed the committee’s message, stating, “We hope to send the message to women all around the world that are living in conditions where they are systematically discriminated: ‘Have the courage, keep on going.'”
The Nobel Peace Prize is seen as a recognition of the courageous efforts of Mohammadi and the countless individuals participating in the protest movement in Iran, advocating for fundamental rights. The movement’s main slogan, “Woman, Life, Freedom,” resonates with the global call for gender equality and freedom from oppression.
While there was no immediate official response from Tehran, the semi-official news agency Fars characterized Mohammadi’s award as a result of her alleged acts against national security, dismissing the protests as Western-led subversion.
Mohammadi, currently serving multiple sentences totaling around 12 years in Tehran’s Evin Prison, has faced frequent periods of detention. Charges against her include spreading propaganda against the state.
Despite her imprisonment, Mohammadi remains undeterred in her pursuit of democracy and equality. The New York Times quoted her saying, “I will continue to fight against the relentless discrimination, tyranny, and gender-based oppression by the oppressive religious government until the liberation of women.”
As the deputy head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, a non-governmental organization led by Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Mohammadi’s recognition sheds light on the challenges faced by women in Iran and underscores the ongoing struggle for human rights in the country.
