Nobel Peace Prize 2023 Awarded to Iranian Activist Narges Mohammadi

In a historic acknowledgment of resilience and advocacy, Narges Mohammadi, a renowned Iranian women's rights advocate currently imprisoned, has been honored with the prestigious 2023 Nobel Peace Prize.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, in its citation, highlighted Mohammadi's unwavering commitment "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all."

A Symbol of Courage in Adversity

Mohammadi, a prominent human rights activist in Iran, has dedicated herself to campaigns for women's rights and the abolition of the death penalty. Despite facing multiple sentences and enduring about 12 years of imprisonment in Tehran's Evin Prison, her indomitable spirit remains a symbol of courage in the face of oppression.

Struggle Behind Bars

Currently serving sentences stemming from various periods of detainment, Mohammadi faces charges, including spreading propaganda against the state. 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 activism has persisted even behind bars.

Notable Recognition

Narges Mohammadi becomes the 19th woman to receive the 122-year-old Nobel Peace Prize and the first since Maria Ressa of the Philippines jointly won the award with Russia's Dmitry Muratov in 2021. The recognition underscores Mohammadi's enduring commitment to human rights, particularly in the challenging sociopolitical landscape of Iran.

Future Presentation

The Nobel Peace Prize, esteemed at 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1 million), is set to be presented in Oslo on December 10. This date marks the anniversary of the death of Alfred Nobel, the Swedish industrialist who founded the awards in his 1895 will.

Who is Narges Mohammadi ?

Narges Mohammadi is an Iranian human rights activist and the vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), headed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. She has been a leading voice in the fight for women's rights and the abolition of the death penalty in Iran.

Mohammadi was born in Zanjan, Iran, in 1972. She studied physics and engineering at Imam Khomeini International University, where she became involved in student activism. She was first arrested in 1998 for her participation in protests against the government's crackdown on student dissent.

Mohammadi has been arrested and imprisoned multiple times for her human rights work. In 2010, she was sentenced to six years in prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the state and gathering and colluding against national security.

She was released on medical furlough in 2016, but was rearrested in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of endangering national security and establishing a group with the intent to overthrow the government.

Mohammadi has been on hunger strike several times to protest her imprisonment and the treatment of political prisoners in Iran. She has also written extensively about her experiences in prison and the human rights situation in Iran.

In 2023, Mohammadi is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize "for her outstanding work to promote peace and democracy in Iran and her dedication to the struggle for human rights." She is the 19th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mohammadi is a courageous and inspiring figure who has dedicated her life to fighting for human rights and justice. Her award is a recognition of her important work and a message of hope for the people of Iran.

Some facts about Narges Mohammadi

• Mohammadi was first arrested in 2009 for her participation in the Green Movement protests against the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

• She was released on bail in 2010, but she was rearrested and sentenced to six years in prison in 2011 for spreading propaganda against the state and gathering and colluding against national security.

• She was released on medical furlough in 2016, but she was rearrested again in 2018 and sentenced to 16 years in prison on charges of endangering national security and establishing a group with the intent to overthrow the government.

• Mohammadi has been on hunger strike several times to protest her imprisonment and the treatment of political prisoners in Iran.

Mohammadi's award is a reminder that the fight for human rights is never easy, but it is always worth fighting for. Her courage and resilience inspire us all to continue the fight for a more just and equitable world.