In a historic moment, Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, currently incarcerated, has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering dedication to advancing women’s rights, democracy, and her relentless opposition to the death penalty.
Despite enduring multiple arrests and spending years behind bars, Narges Mohammadi has remained a beacon of hope and inspiration for women’s rights activists in Iran. Her courageous activism has played a pivotal role in the nationwide, women-led protests sparked by the tragic death of a 22-year-old woman while in police custody last year. These protests have evolved into one of the most significant challenges to Iran’s theocratic government.
Berit Reiss-Andersen, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, commenced the announcement by saying, “Woman, Life, Freedom” in Farsi, which is the slogan of the demonstrations in Iran. She emphasized that the Nobel Peace Prize is a recognition of the essential work of an entire movement in Iran, with Narges Mohammadi as its undeniable leader. Reiss-Andersen also urged the Iranian authorities to release Mohammadi in time for the Nobel Prize ceremony scheduled for December 10.
Throughout most of her life, Iran has been under the governance of a Shiite theocracy, led by the country’s supreme leader. While women in Iran hold various jobs, academic positions, and government roles, their lives are tightly controlled, and they are legally required to wear a headscarf or hijab to cover their hair. Iran, along with neighboring Afghanistan, remains one of the only countries mandating this practice.
Following the Nobel announcement, Narges Mohammadi released a statement declaring her commitment to the pursuit of democracy, freedom, and equality. She expressed her belief that the Nobel Peace Prize would strengthen her resolve and accelerate her efforts in these crucial areas.
An engineer by training, Mohammadi has faced imprisonment 13 times and been convicted five times, totaling 31 years behind bars. Her most recent incarceration began in 2021 when she was detained after attending a memorial for an individual killed during nationwide protests.
Mohammadi has been held at Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, which houses Western detainees and political prisoners alike. Calls for her immediate release have come from various quarters, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Amnesty International. President Biden underscored that Mohammadi’s Nobel Prize signifies the global recognition of her unwavering commitment to freedom and equality.
Friday’s Nobel Prize announcement sends a clear message to the Iranian authorities that their repression of peaceful critics and human rights defenders will not go unchallenged, according to Amnesty International.
Mohammadi’s husband, Taghi Rahmani, who resides in exile in Paris with their 16-year-old twins, emphasized his wife’s unwavering dedication to the cause of human rights, freedom, civil equality, and democracy. Sadly, he has been unable to see his wife for 11 years, and their children have not seen their mother for seven.
Their son, Ali Rahmani, stated that the Nobel Prize is not just for his mother but is a tribute to the entire population’s struggle against the Iranian government’s policies since its inception.
Narges Mohammadi becomes the 19th woman and the second Iranian woman, following Shirin Ebadi in 2003, to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described her selection as a tribute to all women fighting for their rights, even at the risk of their freedom, health, and lives.
This marks the fifth time in its 122-year history that the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to someone in prison or under house arrest. In 2022, Ales Bialiatski, the top human rights advocate in Belarus, was among the laureates and remains imprisoned.
Iran’s government criticized the Nobel Committee’s decision as part of the “interventionist and anti-Iranian policies of some European countries.” Iranian state media downplayed Mohammadi’s activism as “propaganda” and an “act against national security.”
Nevertheless, many within Iran expressed support for Mohammadi’s resilience and the Nobel recognition of her efforts. They see it as a testament to the bravery of Iranian women and their struggle for equality and freedom.
Narges Mohammadi was formerly the Vice President of the banned Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran, an organization founded by Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi.
The Nobel Peace Prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million). Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are announced in Stockholm, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo by the Norwegian Nobel Committee.
The Nobel season concludes on Monday with the announcement of the winner of the economics prize, formally known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
