Iranian Narges Mohammadi: The Nobel Prize Academy on Friday awarded Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian women rights activist currently serving her tenure in jail, the Nobel Peace Prize 2023. The Norwegian Committee urged the Iranian government to release Mohammadi and said, “This prize is first and foremost a recognition of the very important work of a whole movement in Iran, with its undisputed leader, Narges Mohammadi.”
Here are some of the unknown facts behind the Iranian rebel who continues to fight for human rights:
Narges Mohammadi, a brave advocate for women’s rights and an end to the death penalty in Iran, has been recognized for her unwavering determination. Born in 1972 in Zanjan, Iran, Mohammadi initially studied physics and later became an engineer. However, her passion for change led her to a career in journalism, where she worked for newspapers associated with the reformist movement.
She has been detained multiple times, and despite facing multiple challenges, Mohammadi continued her fight for human rights. Presently, she is serving several sentences in Tehran’s Evin Prison, amounting to approximately 12 years of imprisonment, as confirmed by the Front Line Defenders rights organization.
She is the 19th woman to receive a prestigious 122-year-old prize, the first since Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Russia’s Dmitry Muratov were jointly awarded in 2021.
During the 2000s, Mohammadi joined the Center for Human Rights Defenders, an organization founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi. Together, they fought passionately, especially against the death penalty.
Despite being arrested for the first time 22 years ago, Mohammadi, now 51, has spent much of the past two decades in and out of jail due to her unwavering human rights activism. She has persistently challenged sensitive issues in Iran, including capital punishment and the mandatory hijab, even behind bars. Amnesty International has labeled her a prisoner of conscience, emphasizing her arbitrary detention.
In a statement to AFP in September, Mohammadi revealed that she is serving a combined sentence of 10 years and nine months in prison, along with 154 lashes. Additionally, she faces five separate cases related to her activities within the prison. This long separation from her family, including her twin children, Kiana and Ali, has taken a toll on Mohammadi. Her husband, Rahmani, expressed their pain, sharing, “In 24 years of marriage, we had just five or six years of living together!”
Despite the challenges she faces, Mohammadi’s story stands as a testament to her resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Her recognition highlights the urgent need for international attention to human rights issues in Iran and the courage of individuals like Mohammadi who continue to fight for justice.