Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadiwho won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, spoke with Norwegian Nobel Committee Sunday via video call. She shared that, for the first time in years, she was able to video call with her children.
Currently imprisoned in Iran, Mohammadi was recently granted a 21-day release from prison for medical treatment following surgery on a suspected cancerous lesion on his leg.
She received an award for her work against the oppression of women in Iran and recalled how she heard the news while she was in prison.
During the call, Mohammadi discussed his health, the situation in Iran, and his reaction to winning the award. She has been inside Evin Prison More than a decade after being arrested and sentenced for her activism for women’s rights and her alleged actions against the Iranian government. As reported by CNN, she was convicted of spreading anti-state propaganda, undermining national security and challenging the rule of the Islamic Republic.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor to finally meet you today, even if it’s by video call,” she told the committee. She described learning about her award from a fellow inmate who heard the news from her husband, also in prison. “The women’s ward erupted with slogans: ‘Azadi, Azadi, Azadi’ (Freedom, Freedom, Freedom),” she recalled.
Mohammadi sang the Italian protest song “Bella Ciao” for the committee. The committee applauded his performance.
She had previously suffered a heart attack and struggled with arthritis and disc disease. Her family requested a longer release for recovery, but the request was denied. She faces more than 36 years in prison on multiple convictions and has already spent 10 years behind bars.
This Narges FoundationRun by her family and supporting her release, criticized the short leave, calling it inadequate. Despite her health problems, Mohammadi has continued to fight for women’s rights and democratic change in Iran, even behind bars.
Mohammadi, who must return to prison in 17 days, has received support from high-profile figures such as former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who recently called for his release.