Narges Mohammadi: I Will Stay in Iran and Continue My Activism Even at the Cost of Imprisonment

Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate and imprisoned human rights activist, announced her determination to "stay in Iran" and "continue her activism even at the cost of spending the rest of her life in prison." In a statement published on Friday, October 6, in the American newspaper The New York Times, Mohammadi emphasized that she will not give up her efforts to achieve democracy, freedom, and equality. She described receiving the Nobel Peace Prize as intensifying her resolve, steadfastness, hope, and eagerness to continue her path, and characterized this prestigious award as accelerating her activities. This imprisoned human rights activist wrote that "to achieve the liberation of women, she will continue to fight against the oppressive discrimination, tyranny, and gender repression by the repressive religious government alongside the brave mothers of Iran." Narges Mohammadi's family, who are deprived of her presence due to her imprisonment, emphasized in a separate statement that the long-term absence of this human rights activist from her family is irreparable and that the recognition of her efforts to achieve peace is a source of "pride" and "a balm for their indescribable suffering." They also noted that the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize is beneficial for Narges Mohammadi in achieving her goals and referred to this event as a "glorious day." Taghi Rahmani, Narges Mohammadi's husband and a political activist in exile, considered Mohammadi's selection as this year's Nobel Peace Prize winner as a recognition of the protests of hundreds of thousands of people in Iran defending women's rights last year. The killing of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, 22, in the custody of the morality police in September 2022 led to widespread and prolonged protests in Iran. Taghi Rahmani emphasized in his statement that awarding the valuable Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi in a year when the blood of innocents like Mahsa Amini and hundreds of other young boys and girls has been shed signifies the recognition of the Mahsa movement and the protests of "Women, Life, Freedom." Narges Mohammadi's husband deemed this significant honor as belonging to all the people of Iran and praised their tireless and peaceful struggle for freedom. The Nobel Peace Committee in Norway awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize to Narges Mohammadi, a imprisoned human rights activist in Iran, on Friday, October 6, 2023. She is the second Iranian woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize after Shirin Ebadi. The United States described Narges Mohammadi as "a hero for many in Iran and around the world." Global reactions to the Nobel Peace Prize for Narges Mohammadi: a reward for resilience and resistance. Exclusive: Shirin Ebadi stated that the Nobel Peace Prize for Narges Mohammadi will make the world aware of the dire situation in Iran. Iranians praised Narges Mohammadi's "freedom-seeking" and "steadfastness in struggle" in their messages to her.