The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded on Friday to imprisoned activist Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran, many of whom are removing their hijabs despite a harsh crackdown.
Speaking to AFP, the head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee urged Iran to release Mohammadi, a call echoed by the United Nations. She and three other women held with her at Tehran’s Evin prison burned their hijabs to mark the anniversary of Amini’s death on September 16.Mohammadi, who flaunts long black curls and had been mentioned as a possible winner ahead of the announcement, was honoured “for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all”, Reiss-Andersen said.
A total of 551 protesters, including 68 children and 49 women, were killed by security forces, according to Iran Human Rights, and thousands of others were arrested.In what would have been unthinkable a year ago, women now go out in public without the headscarf, in particular in Tehran and other big cities, despite the risks.
Incarcerated this time since November 2021, Mohammadi has not seen her children, who live in France with her husband, for eight years.