– I will never allow myself to be silenced by imprisonment. Never. My commitment to women’s rights, human rights and freedom cannot be limited by prison walls. Narges Mohammadi (52) looks into a camera with a grainy image. The woman who escaped from the notorious Evin prison in Tehran just four days ago is speaking to the Nobel Committee on Sunday afternoon for the first time since she won the peace prize last year. Facts about Narges Mohammadi Photo: Reihane Taravati Iranian journalist and human rights activist. Imprisoned since 2021 Born in Zanjian, Iran April 21, 1972 Vice President of the Defenders of Human Rights (DHRC), which is headed by Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi Imprisoned several times. Was imprisoned in 2021 when she attended the memorial service for Ebrahim Ketbadar, who was killed during a demonstration. The nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize was then highlighted as hostile activity. Said in 2022 that she was sentenced to prison for 8 years and 2 months, as well as 74 lashes. The punishment was later extended Has accused the prison service of sexual and physical abuse against female inmates Source: NTB It was the twins Ali and Kiana Rahmani who received the award on their mother’s behalf last autumn. The acceptance speech had been smuggled out of prison by Mohammadi. – This is not the first time the Iranian regime has tried to silence me. And even if they manage to gag me, they will never be able to gag the people, says Mohammadi. It was the children of Narges Mohammadi who received the Nobel Peace Prize on their mother’s behalf last October. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB Woman, life, freedom A video call connects the committee with Mohammadi, who after three years in prison, is finally at home in his own living room in Tehran. She was released a few days ago for three weeks, due to poor health. Mohammadi won the peace prize last year for his work against women’s oppression and the fight for human rights in Iran. “Woman, life, freedom.” Mohammadi says that the slogan echoed in the prison walls when it was announced that she had won. – It was an unforgettable and very emotional moment, she says. In the women’s ward in the prison, they do not have access to telephones or news. It was one of the other inmates, who is married to a man in the men’s ward, who was told the news. – We sang, we danced and celebrated. Later, everyone gathered in the air yard, Mohammadi says, before she begins to sing the Italian song “Bella Ciao” in Persian. At the time, the song was dedicated to the Italian forces who fought against the Nazis in the 40s. Narges Mohammadi sang “Bella Ciao” in a digital meeting with the Nobel Committee today. The background was that Mohammadi received the news that she had won the Nobel Peace Prize when she was in prison in Iran. To celebrate, the female inmates burst into cheers and sang, among other things, “Bella Ciao”. Mohammadi is still serving a prison sentence, but has been released on medical grounds for three weeks. – I should have been free When asked by the Nobel Committee where she finds the strength to continue her work, Mohammadi replies that her basic values keep her going. – All the time I have fought, both in and outside prison. The dedication to, and belief in, human rights and democracy gives me strength, answers the peace prize winner. In the video interview, she says that the prisons in Iran are referred to as a “silent killer”, a silent death, for political prisoners, such as herself. Map of the Nobel Prize exhibition in 2023 in connection with the award ceremony. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB – I should have been free. I should have the opportunity to continue my work. I am deeply concerned about the conditions of political prisoners in Iran, says Mohammadi, and continues: – I am deeply concerned about the increasing use of the death penalty, the strict hijab laws, the increasing proportion of political prisoners and the systematic gender apartheid against women in Iran. In a few weeks, Mohammadi will be back in prison, despite the fact that several people, including the Nobel Committee, have demanded that she be released for good. Interested in more material from abroad? Below you can listen to the editor’s podcast: Published 08.12.2024, at 19.11
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