Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi will come out of jail for 21 days to recover from surgery for suspected cancer. The Iranian authorities have allowed the suspension of jail term on medical grounds.
A recent MRI revealed the progression of arthritis and disc disease. At the same time, doctors have also called for further angiography on one of her heart arteries after she suffered a heart attack in 2021.
Mohammadi has spent most of the past two decades as an inmate of Tehran’s Evin prison – notorious for housing critics of the Iranian regime. She is serving multiple sentences totalling more than 30 years.
In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her “fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.
Narges Mohammadi is a prominent Iranian human rights activist, journalist, and physicist known for her tireless advocacy for women’s rights, social justice, and political reform in Iran. She has been a vocal critic of Iran’s government, particularly regarding its treatment of women and political prisoners.
Key Facts about Narges Mohammadi:
Human Rights Advocacy:
Mohammadi has been actively involved in campaigns against the death penalty in Iran and has advocated for the rights of women and children.
She has worked with organizations like the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), which Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi co-founded.
Imprisonment and Harassment:
Due to her activism, Mohammadi has faced numerous arrests, imprisonments, and harassment by Iranian authorities.
She has been sentenced multiple times on charges related to her activism, such as “spreading propaganda against the state” and “acting against national security.”
Despite health issues, she has continued her activism from prison, including organizing protests and writing open letters.
Recognition:
Mohammadi’s work has garnered international attention and accolades. She has received awards such as the Andrei Sakharov Prize for her courage and commitment to human rights.
In 2023, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her “fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.”
Role in Women’s Rights Movements:
Mohammadi has been a leading figure in the ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement, a significant women’s rights movement in Iran. This movement gained momentum following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, a young woman who died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody. The ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ movement has been instrumental in calling for systemic changes in Iran, challenging oppressive laws, and advocating for women’s liberation.
Narges Mohammadi’s resilience and courage in the face of oppression have not gone unnoticed. Her work has inspired activists worldwide and garnered international support. Her story is a testament to the power of activism and the global impact of standing up for human rights.