Jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi awarded Nobel Peace Prize for challenging women's oppression

Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist, has been awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize while imprisoned in Tehran.

In a prepared statement, Narges Mohammadi expressed her belief that winning the Nobel Peace Prize would strengthen her resolve and determination in her ongoing fight for freedom and equality. As an engineer by profession, Mohammadi has faced numerous imprisonments, with a total of 13 arrests and five convictions, resulting in a cumulative sentence of 31 years in prison. Her most recent detention occurred in 2021 when she attended a memorial for a person killed during nationwide protests.

Mohammadi has been held at Evin Prison in Tehran, a facility known for housing political prisoners and individuals with Western ties. Her unjust incarceration has garnered international attention and support, with both U.S. President Joe Biden and Amnesty International calling for her immediate release. Biden emphasized that the Nobel Peace Prize serves as recognition of Mohammadi's unwavering commitment to freedom and equality, urging the Iranian government to release her and other advocates for gender equality from captivity.

Amnesty International echoed these sentiments, stating that the Nobel Prize sends a clear message to the Iranian authorities that their crackdown on peaceful critics and human rights defenders will not go unchallenged. However, Mohammadi's brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, believes that the regime in Iran will intensify its opposition in response to the award, further suppressing dissenting voices.

Mohammadi's husband, Taghi Rahmani, who resides in Paris with their two children, expressed his wife's unwavering dedication to the cause of human rights, freedom, civil equality, and democracy. Despite not being able to see his wife for 11 years, Rahmani emphasized that every award Mohammadi receives only bolsters her courage and resilience.

Their son, Ali Rahmani, emphasized that the Nobel Peace Prize is not just for his mother but for the entire population and their ongoing struggle against the Iranian government. This sentiment was echoed by exiled Iranian photographer Reihane Taravati, a family friend, who revealed that women political prisoners in Evin are prohibited from using the phone on Thursdays and Fridays, prompting Mohammadi to prepare her statement in advance.

Mohammadi's recognition as the 19th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the second Iranian woman after Shirin Ebadi in 2003 drew praise from U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. He hailed the selection as a tribute to all women fighting for their rights, even at the risk of their freedom, health, and lives.

The Nobel Peace Prize has a history of being awarded to individuals in prison or under house arrest, with Mohammadi becoming the fifth recipient in this category. The Belarusian human rights advocate Ales Bialiatski, who remains imprisoned, was among the previous winners in 2022.

Mohammadi's recent detention was a result of her involvement in protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested by the morality police for her alleged violation of the dress code. The subsequent security crackdown led to the deaths of over 500 people and the arrest of more than 22,000 others.

Despite her imprisonment, Mohammadi penned an opinion piece for The New York Times in September, emphasizing that the government's attempts to silence activists only strengthen their resolve.

The Iranian government, responsible for Mohammadi's incarceration, criticized the Nobel committee's decision, viewing it as part of Western countries' interventionist and anti-Iranian policies. State media described Mohammadi's activism as propaganda and an act against national security.

Nevertheless, Mohammadi's resilience has garnered support within Iran, with individuals expressing admiration for her dedication to defending the rights of others. People in Tehran voiced their support, emphasizing that the Nobel Peace Prize was well-deserved and a testament to Mohammadi's bravery.

While the award brings both possibilities and restrictions, political analyst Ahmad Zeidabadi hopes that Mohammadi will not be confined by its limitations.

The Nobel Peace Prize carries a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million) and is awarded in Oslo by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, as per Alfred Nobel's decree. The Nobel season concludes with the announcement of the winner of the economics prize, known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

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