Jailed activist wins Nobel Peace Prize for ‘fight against oppression in Iran’

Narges Mohammadi, a women rights advocate, has won the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize.

Making the announcement in a statement on Friday, the Norwegian Nobel committee said it awarded the prize to Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her struggles to promote human rights and freedom for all.

The committee said her “brave struggle” has come with tremendous personal costs as she has been arrested 13 times, convicted five times, sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison and received 154 lashes.

The 51-year-old is currently in prison serving multiple sentences.

In 2022, she was reported to have been tried for only five minutes before being handed a sentence of eight years and 70 lashes.

Mohammadi’s award comes after a wave of protests that swept through Iran in 2022, following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurd who was arrested for violating Iran’s strict dress rules for women.

The authorities cracked down hard on the protesters — more than 500 demonstrators were said to have been killed and thousands were left injured.

“Last year’s wave of protests became known to the political prisoners held inside the notorious Evin prison in Tehran. Once again, Ms Mohammadi assumed leadership. From prison she expressed support for the demonstrators and organised solidarity actions among her fellow inmates,” the citation for the prize reads.

“The prison authorities responded by imposing even stricter conditions. Ms Mohammadi was prohibited from receiving calls and visitors.

“Narges Mohammadi is a woman, a human rights advocate, and a freedom fighter.

“In awarding her this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the Norwegian Nobel Committee wishes to honour her courageous fight for human rights, freedom, and democracy in Iran.

“This year’s Peace Prize also recognises 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.

“Only by embracing equal rights for all can the world achieve the fraternity between nations that Alfred Nobel sought to promote.

“The award to Narges Mohammadi follows a long tradition in which the Norwegian Nobel Committee has awarded the Peace Prize to those working to advance social justice, human rights, and democracy.

“These are important preconditions for lasting peace.”