Narges Mohammadi's Message to the Nobel Peace Conference: Women's Defiance in Iran is Inspiring, We Are Not Afraid of Execution

Narges Mohammadi, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and imprisoned human rights activist, sent a message to the 2024 Nobel Peace Conference, stating that women have elevated their capacity for defiance and protest to a level of collective and historical awareness, emphasizing that "we are not afraid of execution." The conference, titled "Women, Life, Freedom," took place on Thursday, September 6, in Oslo, Norway. During the event, attended by several prominent political figures and civil and human rights activists, Narges Mohammadi's children, Ali and Kiana Rahmani, read her message on her behalf. In her message, Mohammadi referred to the two-year anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in police custody and the beginning of the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement, stating, "Nothing is like it was before. This movement did not happen suddenly; it is a continuation of the historical struggles and democratic movements of the Iranian people." Mohammadi noted, "The world has witnessed the street killings of protesters, arrests, imprisonment, torture, and executions of those rising against the authoritarian religious government. However, the outcome of these developments is in favor of democracy." She emphasized, "We have managed to elevate women's defiance and the power of protest to a level of collective and historical awareness." The imprisoned human rights activist also mentioned the increasing "defiance of women against misogynistic and discriminatory laws," stating, "The government has lined up women for execution, but we are not afraid of execution. We will not abandon justice and freedom and will fight against execution." In conclusion, she asserted, "We will live, we will kiss the sun, and we will fill the world with vitality and hope. We will prevail." Narges Mohammadi, born in 1972 in Zanjan, has been arrested and imprisoned multiple times over the past two decades. In her latest legal case, she was sentenced to ten years in prison for "propaganda against the regime" and is currently held in Evin Prison in Tehran. Mohammadi reacted to the killing of Mohammad Mir Mousavi, stating that the Islamic Republic is a "regime filled with hatred, oppression, and discrimination." Human rights organizations have expressed concern about further executions ahead of the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death. The United Nations has classified the beating of Narges Mohammadi and other women in Evin Prison as "torture." The U.S. State Department has expressed concern over the beating of Narges Mohammadi and other female prisoners in Evin. Amnesty International reacted to the beating of Narges Mohammadi and other women prisoners in Evin, calling for independent observers to be granted access to the prisons.