Narges Mohammadi, a prominent Iranian advocate for women’s rights and a staunch opponent of the death penalty, has been honored with the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. Mohammadi’s recognition comes against the backdrop of a year of protests in Iran, sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman who died in police custody after being detained for a dress code violation. Despite her imprisonment, Mohammadi has been a tireless advocate for related causes and continues to document human rights abuses within Iran’s prisons.
While the Nobel committee’s decision is a significant symbolic gesture, it is unlikely to prompt a change in Iran’s stance on the protests or its human rights violations. Moreover, it may not lead to Mohammadi’s release or substantially improve her conditions. Nevertheless, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, expressed hope that Iranian authorities would consider releasing Mohammadi so she could attend the awards ceremony scheduled for December.
This Nobel Peace Prize serves as explicit recognition of Mohammadi’s decades-long commitment to human rights and her ongoing fight for justice. It also highlights the continued struggle of women in Iran.
The committee’s statement reads, “This year’s Peace Prize also recognizes the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the preceding year, have demonstrated against the theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women.” Iranian women, echoing this sentiment, consider the prize “an award for all Iranian girls and women” and regard Narges Mohammadi as “the bravest I have ever seen,” according to 22-year-old chemistry student Arezou Mohebi, who spoke to the Associated Press.
Narges Mohammadi: A Champion of Human Rights Narges Mohammadi, an engineer by training, has played a pivotal role in the Iranian human rights movement, particularly advocating for women’s rights, prisoners’ rights, and against the death penalty. Her journey began in 2003 when she joined the Defenders of Human Rights Center, a now-banned organization founded by another Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Iran, lawyer Shirin Ebadi.
Within Iran, Mohammadi enjoys tremendous respect and admiration for her unwavering commitment to freedom, women’s rights, and human rights, as well as for the personal sacrifices she has made to uphold these ideals. Despite her multiple arrests, Mohammadi remains a symbol of hope for Iranians.
In 2011, Mohammadi was first arrested for her advocacy on behalf of incarcerated human rights activists and their families. While on bail in 2015, she was rearrested and imprisoned, this time for her relentless campaign against Iran’s use of the death penalty. In Iran, the death penalty is often applied for offenses such as drug-related crimes, blasphemy, or alleged acts that are considered “corruption on earth.”
In 2022, Iran witnessed approximately 580 executions, according to UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk. These executions continued into 2023, with many being carried out for drug-related offenses, disproportionately affecting minority communities. A UN report this year highlighted how Iranian authorities employ the death penalty and executions as tools of political repression, targeting protesters, dissidents, and minorities following show trials.
The Woman-Life-Freedom Movement: A Turning Point in Iran The Woman-Life-Freedom movement, sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, marked a turning point in Iran’s struggle for change. It was a predominantly female-led movement in a society where women’s rights are severely restricted, affecting their access to education, employment, and participation in public life due to compulsory hijab laws.
The movement, characterized by its powerful slogan “Woman-Life-Freedom,” built on years and decades of protest and feminist activism championed by individuals like Narges Mohammadi. Even while imprisoned, Mohammadi continued to organize, advocating for better conditions and expressing solidarity with fellow activists.
However, her activism from within the prison walls resulted in intensified crackdowns by authorities. She was denied phone calls and visitors, and she has been separated from her husband, Taghi Rahmani, who now lives in exile in Paris with their 16-year-old twins.
Despite potential risks and challenges, Mohammadi remains resolute, viewing global support and recognition as a source of strength for Iranians protesting for change. Her Nobel Prize serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that the Iranian people remain steadfast in their quest for a free and tolerant Iran.
While the Iranian regime may dismiss the prize, it underscores the enduring struggle between the regime and society. The Woman-Life-Freedom movement has left a lasting impact, revealing the fractures within Iranian society and highlighting the urgent need for change.
In the words of Firoozeh Kashani-Sabet, a historian of the modern Middle East, “Mohammadi’s Nobel Prize will keep the embers of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement burning and alert the world that Iranian women and the Iranian people have not abandoned their resolve to usher in a free and tolerant Iran.”
Mohammadi’s Nobel Peace Prize is not just an accolade; it is a testament to the resilience of those who strive for justice and equality in Iran and an affirmation of their enduring commitment to creating a better future.