Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi

Sarah Gambles
·2 min read
9
This photo taken in 2021 shows Narges Mohammadi in Tehran, Iran. The imprisoned Iranian activist won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, Oct. 6, 2023 in recognition of her tireless campaigning for women’s rights and democracy and against the death penalty.
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Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Friday. She’s currently imprisoned in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison, serving a 10-year sentence, but she continues to be vocal critic of Iran’s government.

Who is Narges Mohammadi?

Mohammadi organized prison protests, wrote opinion pieces and “led weekly workshops for female inmates about their rights,” following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died while in morality police custody in 2022, leading to widespread protests throughout the country, The New York Times reported.

“Her brave struggle has come with tremendous personal costs,” Norwegian Nobel committee chair Berit Reiss-Andersen said of Mohammadi, per the release. “Altogether, the regime has arrested her 13 times, convicted her five times, and sentenced her to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.”

Prominent Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi is seen in a meeting on women’s rights in Tehran, Iran, on July 3, 2008. The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Mohammadi for fighting oppression of women in Iran. The chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the prize on Oct. 6, 2023 in Oslo. | Vahid Salemi, Associated Press
Prominent Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi is seen in a meeting on women’s rights in Tehran, Iran, on July 3, 2008. The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to Mohammadi for fighting oppression of women in Iran. The chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced the prize on Oct. 6, 2023 in Oslo. | Vahid Salemi, Associated Press

The committee honored her and “those behind recent unprecedented demonstrations in Iran and called for the release of Mohammadi,” according to Reuters.

“Standing alongside the brave mothers of Iran,” she said in a statement shared by her family, promising to stay in Iran, even if she will remain in captivity for life, per the Times, “I will continue to fight against the relentless discrimination, tyranny and gender-based oppression by the oppressive religious government until the liberation of women.”

Under the banner of “Woman, Life, Freedom,” the women and activists behind the movement continue to press for change within the country, despite setbacks, according to CNN.

“I also hope this recognition makes Iranians protesting for change stronger and more organized,” she said in a written statement to the Times. “Victory is near.”