Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi Honored for Her Fight for Women’s Rights and Freedom
The son and husband of imprisoned Iranian women’s activist Narges Mohammadi expressed their pride and happiness as she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this year. At a press conference in Paris, her 17-year-old son, Ali Rahmani, stated that he was extremely proud of his mother and happy for her achievement. He revealed that he had not seen his mother in eight years, making this recognition even more meaningful for their family.
Mohammadi’s husband, Taghi Rahmani, also spoke at the press conference, emphasizing that the Nobel Prize was not only an award for Mohammadi but also for all the men and women who fight for women’s rights, life, and freedom. He expressed his belief that their voices would never be silenced and that this prestigious award would give them even more strength to express themselves.
However, there is uncertainty about whether Mohammadi has been informed of her Nobel Prize win while she remains imprisoned. Rahmani mentioned that there is a chance she may not know yet. Mohammadi, a 51-year-old journalist and activist, has spent a significant portion of the past two decades in and out of jail due to her tireless efforts in advocating for women’s rights and promoting human rights and freedom for all.
The head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, called on Iran to release Mohammadi, a plea that was echoed by the United Nations. Reiss-Andersen urged Iran to take dignified action and release the Nobel laureate. She highlighted Mohammadi’s fight against the oppression of women and her relentless struggle to promote human rights. Reiss-Andersen commended Mohammadi’s bravery, noting that she has been arrested 13 times, convicted five times, and sentenced to 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.
Mohammadi is the vice president of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, which was founded by Iranian human rights lawyer Shirin Ebadi, herself a Nobel Peace Prize laureate in 2003. Reiss-Andersen also acknowledged the hundreds of thousands of people who have demonstrated against the discriminatory and oppressive policies of Iran’s theocratic regime, stating that this year’s Peace Prize recognizes their efforts as well.
The leaders of France, Germany, the European Union, and NATO all applauded the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Mohammadi. Amnesty International called for her immediate release, emphasizing that the recognition by the Nobel Peace Committee sends a clear message to the authorities that their crackdown on human rights defenders will not go unchallenged. Amnesty Secretary-General Agnès Callamard stated that Mohammadi’s achievement signifies that the world has witnessed this movement.
Mohammadi’s brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, who resides in Norway, expressed his inability to speak with his sister but acknowledged that the prize holds great significance for her. He believes that the award demonstrates global recognition of their movement but does not anticipate it will directly impact the situation in Iran.
Mohammadi is the second Iranian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize after Shirin Ebadi. Throughout its history, the Peace Prize has honored jailed activists on five occasions, including last year’s winner Ales Bialiatski of Belarus and Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo in 2010.
In conclusion, Narges Mohammadi’s Nobel Peace Prize win is a testament to her unwavering dedication to fighting for women’s rights and promoting human rights and freedom. It serves as a powerful message to Iran and the world that the voices of those advocating for justice and equality will not be silenced. The international community stands united in calling for Mohammadi’s release and recognizing her remarkable contributions to the advancement of human rights.