Congratulations from 22 Female Political Prisoners to Narges Mohammadi: Efforts for Freedom and Equality Recognized

Political prisoners in the women's section of Evin Prison wrote in a letter that the awarding of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi, a imprisoned human rights activist, "is a recognition of her years of efforts for the realization of freedom and equality and for bringing the voice of justice-seeking and rights-demanding society of Iran to the world, and it will be a step towards greater enlightenment." This letter was signed by Nahid Taghavi, Sepideh Qolian, Golrokh Iraee, Sepideh Kashani, Zahra Tavakoli, Hedi Tavakoli, Faezah Hashemi, Bahareh Hedayat, Mahvash Sabat, Fariba Kamalabadi, Zohreh Sarv, Shakila Monfared, Mahbubeh Rezaei, Niloufar Hamedi, Nasrin Javadi, Anisha Asadollahi, Niloufar Bayani, Elaheh Mohammadi, Sepideh Keshavarz, Maryam Hajihosseini, Sarv Naz Ahmadi, and Mahvash Adalati. They described Narges Mohammadi as "a fellow inmate, friend, comrade, and sister" and added: "We, Narges' sisters, witnesses to her years of continuous and tireless efforts in the struggle for freedom and equality, are delighted to have her and are overwhelmed with joy upon hearing this news." They congratulated Ms. Mohammadi, her family, and her children, Ali and Kiana, writing: "Although Narges' name and her political-social presence, as well as that of any other fighter for freedom and equality, cannot be summarized in one award; however, receiving the Nobel Peace Prize by her is a recognition of her years of efforts for the realization of freedom and equality and for bringing the voice of justice-seeking and rights-demanding society of Iran to the world, and it will be a step towards greater enlightenment." The signatories of the letter noted: "Narges, who has devoted her tireless efforts to exposing the systematic violation of human rights in Iran, now bears a grave responsibility. A responsibility that entails protecting human rights, not only for today but for the path ahead in creating interpretation in Iranian society." In the conclusion of their letter, these political prisoners wrote: "Throughout the history of the struggle against oppression and discrimination, there have been activists and fighters who have given color to awards and statues, and today we take pride in our sister and comrade Narges, who has given color to the Nobel Peace Prize on the first anniversary of the Jina movement (Mahsa Amini). The red color of the spilled blood that has marked the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 with the grief of the mothers seeking justice." The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi has been welcomed by human rights, political, civil, and professional figures and organizations in Iran and around the world. However, on the other hand, officials and media of the Islamic Republic have expressed their displeasure at the awarding of this prestigious global prize to a political and human rights activist woman by attempting to downplay or trivialize the significance of this award. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi due to her decisive role in combating the oppression of women in Iran and her struggle for the promotion of human rights and freedom for all. Ms. Mohammadi is the second Iranian woman to receive this award after Shirin Ebadi.