Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi Continues to Fight for Human Rights in Iran
Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her tireless efforts to promote human rights and fight against the oppression of women in Iran. Despite being imprisoned for most of the past two decades, Mohammadi’s powerful voice has not been silenced.
Mohammadi, currently serving a sentence of 10 years and 9 months in the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, has been at the forefront of the battle against the death penalty and solitary confinement in Iran. She has endured weeks of solitary confinement and has been subjected to harsh punishments, including a sentence of 154 lashes.
In an audio recording obtained by CNN before the Nobel Peace Prize announcement, Mohammadi is heard leading chants of “woman, life, freedom” – the slogan of the uprising sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Jhina Amini. Amini died in the custody of Iran’s morality police after being arrested for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly.
Despite a crackdown on protests by Iranian authorities, Mohammadi remains resolute in her fight for justice. In a letter sent to CNN, she criticizes the Iranian government for its four-decade-long mandatory hijab policy and the use of sexual violence against female prisoners. Mohammadi details incidents of sexual assault against herself and other female detainees, describing the abuse as “systematic.”
The Iranian government has denied widespread allegations of sexual assaults against detainees, but Mohammadi’s brave testimony and advocacy have shed light on the issue. She has hosted discussions where women shared their stories of assault by government “agents,” breaking taboos in Iran’s conservative society.
For her courage and dedication, Mohammadi has paid a heavy price. She has been sentenced to additional years in prison for her activism, and she has been banned from speaking directly with her husband and children for the past 18 months. Still, Mohammadi’s husband, Taghi Rahmani, says she has an “endless energy for freedom and human rights.”
The Nobel Peace Prize serves as recognition for Mohammadi’s unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of others. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, she continues to be a voice for the voiceless and a beacon of hope for human rights in Iran.