Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023. The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized Mohammadi, 51, for her dedicated advocacy against the oppression of women in Iran. The committee's chairwoman, Berit Reiss-Andersen, acknowledged that Mohammadi's fight has come at a significant personal cost. Currently serving a 31-year prison sentence in Iran, Mohammadi has also been subjected to 154 lashes. Reiss-Andersen emphasized that the prestigious award was bestowed upon Mohammadi for her campaign seeking gender equality and human rights for all. She highlighted the recent mass protests in Iran, using the slogan "woman - life - freedom," which have challenged the discriminatory policies and oppression faced by women. Reiss-Andersen applauded the millions of Iranians and global human rights activists who support this decision. Additionally, the Nobel committee's choice serves as a strong signal of disapproval towards the Iranian authorities. Reiss-Andersen called for Iran to release Mohammadi from jail so she could attend the prize ceremony in December, but it is unlikely that this will occur. The United Nations praised the award, acknowledging the courage and determination of Iranian women and their inspirational influence on the world. Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian who was previously imprisoned with Mohammadi, expressed her joy for her friend, highlighting Mohammadi's fearless advocacy against women's rights violations, solitary confinement, and judicial system executions in Iran. Zaghari-Ratcliffe stated that the award represents every Iranian woman who has been a victim of injustice. Mohammadi has faced multiple arrests and convictions throughout her activism, and she provided distressing accounts from prison about the sexual and physical abuse endured by Iranian women during demonstrations. These protests emerged following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died while in police custody. The unrest, which spread across the country, demanded greater freedoms and even a potential overthrow of the state. Images of Iranian women defiantly setting their headscarves on fire gained international attention. The Iranian authorities violently suppressed the protests, resulting in their decline. Besides her activism, Mohammadi is also the deputy head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center and was previously recognized as one of the BBC's 100 Women.