ARTICLE 19 celebrates the news that Iranian journalist and human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has been awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize – a ringing endorsement and signal of hope for human rights work in Iran and around the globe.
In awarding Mohammadi the prize for ‘her fight against the oppression of women in Iran’, the Norwegian Nobel Committee spoke of her courage and expressed hope that the prize would be ‘an inspiration for women all over the world’ who face and speak out against systematic discrimination.
Mohammadi, journalist, human rights defender and the Vice President of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, is currently imprisoned in Iran’s Evin Prison Iran for her work defending human rights, and for leading the long fight against the oppression of women. From behind bars she has been a vocal advocate of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement sparked by the death in custody of Mahsa Jhini Amini in 2022, who was arrested by the morality police for allegedly wearing the Islamic headscarf improperly.
Mohammadi has spent most of the last decade behind bars for her activism and unwavering support for human rights. She is currently serving a sentence of 10 years and 9 months on charges of spreading propaganda against the state and also faces 154 lashes.
‘This award is an important victory for the Woman, Life Freedom movement in Iran, and for women’s rights in Iran and around the world,’ said Barbora Bukovská, ARTICLE 19 Senior Director for Law and Policy. ‘It shines a light on the vital, committed and tireless work of Narges Mohammadi, who has devoted her life to bringing change to her fellow Iranians.’
‘On the occasion of the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi, we also call on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release her from prison.’
Following the announcement, Mohammadi said in a written statement to The New York Times: ‘The global support and recognition of my human rights advocacy makes me more resolved, more responsible, more passionate and more hopeful. I also hope this recognition makes Iranians protesting for change stronger and more organised. Victory is near.’
The announcement follows news that a young woman, Armita Geravand, was in a coma after allegedly being attacked by authorities enforcing hijab laws on Tehran’s transport system.
In the wake of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement, Islamic Republic of Iran authorities have stepped up its assault on women’s rights. The newly-tabled Chastity and Hijab Bill will, when passed into law, will give authorities greater powers to target women, including through using facial recognition technology.
ARTICLE 19 was among the group of civil society organisations that wrote to the Nobel committee in support Mohammadi’s nomination.
Follow ARTICLE 19’s advocacy and coverage of human rights in Iran.