Narges Mohammadi has been arrested thirteen times, along with five convictions.
Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist, currently serving a 12-year prison sentence, has been honored with the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. Mohammadi was awarded the honor “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her struggle for human rights and freedom for everyone.” The prestigious prize will be awarded in Oslo on December 10, the anniversary of the death of its founder, Alfred Nobel.
The head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, called Mohammadi a “freedom fighter” and began her speech by invoking the Farsi words for “woman, life, freedom” – a slogan often heard during protests against Iran’s government.
Five facts about Narges Mohammadi:
- Ms. Mohammadi is the 19th woman to receive this prestigious 122-year-old award, after Maria Ressa of the Philippines, who was the 2021 co-recipient along with Russia’s Dmitry Muratov.
- Mohammadi, born on April 21, 1972, was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize a year after Iran witnessed widespread protests following the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
- Mohammadi’s tireless fight for women’s rights has taken a huge toll on her life. She has been arrested thirteen times, along with five convictions, resulting in a total prison sentence of 31 years and a sentence of 154 lashes.
- Mohammadi is currently serving twelve years in Tehran’s Evin prison for, among other things, spreading propaganda against the state. Mohammadi also holds the position of deputy head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, an NGO led by Shirin Ebadi, winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize.
- Commenting on the development, Mohammadi’s husband Taghi Rahmani said the Nobel Prize will encourage her fight for human rights, but more importantly, “This is in fact a prize for the ‘women, life and freedom’ movement.”