Global Reactions to Nobel Peace Prize for Narges Mohammadi: A Reward for Resilience and Resistance

Hours after the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize for Narges Mohammadi, prominent figures and international organizations reacted to the news. Below are the messages issued: USA: Abram Paley, Deputy Special Envoy of the United States for Iran, called Narges Mohammadi 'a hero for many in Iran and around the world' in response to the award. According to Paley, 'Today, the entire world recognizes her courage in a united manner.' This senior Biden administration official concluded his message with: 'Congratulations, Narges.' Germany: Annalena Baerbock, Germany's Foreign Minister, wrote on social media platform X in response to the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Narges Mohammadi: 'This award is for Narges Mohammadi and the women of Iran who demand freedom. The fearless voice of (Narges) Mohammadi cannot be imprisoned; the future of Iran belongs to its women.' She wrote in Persian, Kurdish, and English: 'Woman, Life, Freedom.' Reporters Without Borders: The organization welcomed the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi and called on the Islamic Republic to release her immediately. Ms. Mohammadi was awarded the organization’s prize last year for reporting on the abuse and assault of women in Iranian prisons. European Parliament: Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, said in reaction to the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 awarded to Narges Mohammadi that she fights for freedom, democracy, and equality from within prison alongside brave and determined women and men. I told her husband, Taghi Rahmani, that we stand with the people of Iran. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen congratulated Narges Mohammadi on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. According to von der Leyen, this award recognizes 'the brave and authentic struggle of Iranian women' who risk themselves by standing against 'oppression.' She added regarding Iranian women: 'They inspire women around the world to defend their freedom and rights. We stand with you. For Woman, Life, Freedom.' Senior German Diplomat: Tobias Tunkel, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at the German Foreign Office, stated in response to the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Narges Mohammadi: 'Her fight for justice in Iran cannot be silenced. She is a true human rights hero and a role model for women and girls around the world.' This senior German diplomat added: 'I cannot imagine a better choice than Narges Mohammadi for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize. Congratulations.' Hannah Neumann, a German lawmaker in the European Parliament, called the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi 'a powerful sign of support for [the protests] Woman, Life, Freedom.' She expressed great joy and stated that she was one of the supporters of Narges Mohammadi's nomination for this award. Hannah Neumann concluded by emphasizing the need for unity to fight against oppression worldwide. Foundation for Defense of Democracies: Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, in response to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi said: 'The cost of Narges Mohammadi's fight for change has been losing her job, separation from her family, and deprivation of her freedom.' Dubowitz added: 'But the prison cell has not succeeded in silencing her.' German Chancellor: Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, wrote on social media X in response to the news of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Narges Mohammadi: '13 arrests and 31 years of prison sentence. My respect for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner - for her courage and fight for the rights of Iranian women.' International PEN: The International PEN congratulated Narges Mohammadi on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. This organization, which advocates for freedom of expression, referred to Ms. Mohammadi's continued imprisonment for serving a 10-year and 9-month sentence and called for her immediate release and that of all political prisoners in Iran. Former Deputy Speaker of Afghanistan: Fawzia Koofi, former Deputy Speaker of the Afghan Parliament and women's rights activist, congratulated Narges Mohammadi on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement. Amnesty International: In response to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi, Amnesty International called for her 'immediate and unconditional release.' According to this human rights organization, the awarding of the prize to Ms. Mohammadi sends a clear message to the authorities of the Islamic Republic that the repression of peaceful critics and human rights defenders will not go unchallenged. Italian Prime Minister: Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, said she congratulates Narges Mohammadi on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Her commitment inspires women around the world to defend freedom and rights. Italy will always stand by women in respect of fundamental rights and freedom. President of the European Council: Charles Michel, President of the European Council, also stated that Narges Mohammadi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, is a beacon of hope for oppressed women everywhere. Her fight for human rights and freedom inspires us all. This is a reminder: only when women are safe, are we all safe. Human Rights Watch: Tirana Hassan, Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, congratulated Narges Mohammadi on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize and thousands of women, girls, and men who stand against the 'Iranian regime' and for human rights. According to her, another message of awarding this prize to Ms. Mohammadi for human rights defenders who have been unjustly detained is that their brave efforts are seen and felt. Tirana Hassan concluded her message by saying: 'Change is on the way.' The Persian-language account of the Israeli army on social media X reacted to the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi by stating: 'For her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her struggle for the promotion of human rights and freedom for all.' Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, described the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi as a 'significant reminder' that the rights of women and girls in Iran and other parts of the world face severe repression, including through the harassment of human rights defenders. According to Guterres, the Nobel Peace Prize pays tribute to all women who risk their freedom, health, and lives to fight for their rights. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that Narges Mohammadi deserves admiration. Her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and for human rights is fundamental and global. She won the France-Germany Human Rights Award in 2021 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023. She remains imprisoned. She is a symbol and a call to action. Israeli Minister of Information: Gila Gamli'el, Israel's Minister of Information, reacted to the news of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Narges Mohammadi by writing a message in Persian on social media X: 'Narges is a symbol of the relentless struggle of the people of Iran against a bloodthirsty regime that is an enemy to Israel, its own people, and the entire world.' Malala Yousafzai: Malala Yousafzai, who herself is a previous Nobel Peace Prize winner, expressed hope in response to the news of this year’s award to Narges Mohammadi on social media X that 'this award will further empower her struggles and amplify the voices of Iranian women protesting against the oppressive regime.' Canadian Foreign Minister: Melanie Joly, in a message via social media X, in addition to praising Narges Mohammadi's actions, called on the Islamic Republic to release her immediately. She wrote: 'One of the leaders of the fight for women's rights in Iran and an inspiration to us all, this year’s Nobel Peace Prize winner, Narges Mohammadi, is in prison in Iran simply because she was honored today. We continue to demand her freedom.' This report is ongoing... Nobel Peace Prize 2023 - Archive | Narges Mohammadi to interrogators: You are lying. Nobel Peace Prize 2023 - Archive | Narges Mohammadi explains how political prisoners become ill with suspicious diseases. The Nobel Peace Prize 2023 was awarded to Narges Mohammadi, a political prisoner from Iran.