Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Listed Among 25 Influential Women by Financial Times

Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been selected by the Financial Times as one of the 25 influential women of 2023 for her fight for women's rights and freedom of expression in Iran. In addition to Mohammadi, the list includes Margot Robbie, Australian actress; Beyoncé, American singer; and Barbara Kingsolver, American author, recognized for their significant impact in various fields. Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on October 6, 2023, while still imprisoned in Evin prison, preventing her from attending the award ceremony in Oslo. The American PEN Association and hundreds of human rights activists worldwide issued an open letter on November 30, urging the Iranian government to allow Mohammadi to attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The letter states that Mohammadi has dedicated her life to fighting for freedom and women's rights in Iran and should be permitted to participate in the Nobel ceremony. Amnesty International also declared on December 1 that Mohammadi's life is in danger and called for her unconditional release. Earlier this year, Mohammadi received the PEN Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award and the UNESCO Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize. Born in 1972 in Zanjan, Mohammadi has been arrested and imprisoned multiple times over the past two decades. In her most recent legal case, she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for 'anti-government propaganda' and is currently held in Evin prison in Tehran. The open letter from the American PEN Association comes ahead of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, stating, 'Free Narges now.' Mohammadi described the recent executions in Iran as a 'war by the government' against 'defenseless people.' The European Parliament has called for the Iranian government to end 'discrimination against women and girls' and 'hostage diplomacy.' Amnesty International has reiterated that Mohammadi's life is at risk. In a conversation with Angelina Jolie, Mohammadi stated that the Iranian government eliminates dissenters by burying the truth. The Tehran prosecutor issued permission for Mohammadi's transfer to the hospital 'after a week,' while prison officials prevented her transfer due to her refusal to wear a mandatory hijab.