Narges Mohammadi, a prominent Iranian activist, has captured the world's attention by being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering commitment to advancing human rights and freedom. Despite her accolades, the 51-year-old remains incarcerated in Tehran's Evin Prison, where she has spent a staggering 31 years of her life behind bars, enduring 13 imprisonments and five convictions.
A Unique Background: Mohammadi holds a degree in physics and commenced her career as an engineer. However, her journey towards activism began during her academic years when she championed equality and women's rights through her writings for the student newspaper. Her advocacy led to her arrest at two political student group gatherings, ultimately resulting in the loss of her engineering position in 2009 due to a jail sentence.
A Voice for Reform: Throughout her career, Narges Mohammadi worked as a journalist for various reformist publications, using her platform to advocate for causes such as the abolition of the death penalty, women's rights, and the right to protest.
Literary Contributions: Mohammadi's commitment to social reform in Iran is exemplified through her numerous articles addressing these issues. She also authored an essay collection titled "The Reforms, the Strategy, and the Tactics." Her book, "White Torture: Interviews with Iranian Women Prisoners," received recognition at the International Film Festival and Human Rights' Forum.
The First Arrest: In 2011, Narges Mohammadi faced her first arrest, setting a pattern for her subsequent imprisonments. Her initial sentence was the result of her efforts to support incarcerated activists and their families.
Love and Sacrifice: Mohammadi married fellow activist and writer Taghi Rahmani in 1999, just before Rahmani's first arrest. The couple shares twin children who now reside in France. While Rahmani relocated after enduring 14 years of imprisonment in Iran, Mohammadi remained resolute in her commitment to her advocacy work.
A Historic Nobel Win: Narges Mohammadi's Nobel Peace Prize win marked her as the 19th woman ever to receive this prestigious honor and the second Iranian woman after human rights activist Shirin Ebadi in 2003. Remarkably, her win also became the fifth instance in the 122-year history of the Nobel Peace Prize where the laureate was in prison or under house arrest.
Defenders of Human Rights Center: In 2003, Mohammadi joined the Defenders of Human Rights Center, an organization led by Shirin Ebadi. She eventually ascended to the position of vice president within the organization, which is a member of the International Federation for Human Rights. Their dedicated efforts were recognized when the group was awarded the 2003 Human Rights Award by the French National Commission of Human Rights.
A Trail of Awards: Throughout her career, Mohammadi has received numerous awards, from the Alexander Langer Award in 2009 to the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize and the Olof Palme Prize in 2023. Notably, Shirin Ebadi dedicated her 2010 Felix Ermacora Human Rights Award to Mohammadi.
Personal Sacrifice: The Nobel Committee acknowledged the tremendous personal sacrifices Mohammadi has made, highlighting her 13 arrests, five convictions, and a staggering 31 years of imprisonment, coupled with 154 lashes, all imposed by the Iranian regime.
Calls for Her Release: Narges Mohammadi's Nobel Peace Prize win has reignited calls for her release from prison. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and other partners within the UN human rights system have consistently advocated for her release, underscoring the global concern for her situation.
In Narges Mohammadi, the world recognizes not only an extraordinary activist but also a symbol of unwavering dedication to the pursuit of human rights, even in the face of adversity and personal sacrifice. Her Nobel Peace Prize serves as both recognition of her remarkable efforts and a powerful call for justice and freedom.
Iranian Rights Activist Narges Mohammadi Wins Nobel Peace Prize 2023
2023 Nobel Prize in Medicine: Karikó and Weissman's mRNA Vaccine Advancements
