The Norwegian Nobel Committee has urged Iran to stop the physical mistreatment and life-threatening conditions faced by Narges Mohammadi, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate who has been imprisoned since December.
The committee reported receiving “credible information” about the “life-threatening abuse” endured by Mohammadi, who was taken by plainclothes agents during a peaceful memorial for Khosrow Alikordi, a deceased human rights lawyer. Accounts describe her suffering—beaten with wooden sticks, dragged by her hair, with part of her scalp torn, resulting in an open wound. There are also distressing reports of severe kicking, which left her in excruciating pain and unable to sit, raising fears of potential broken bones.
“The Commission is horrified by these actions and emphasizes that Mohammadi’s imprisonment is arbitrary and unjust,” stated Commission President Jorgen Watne Fridnes. He indicated that her only “crime” was exercising her basic rights of expression, association, and assembly, all while advocating for women’s equality and human dignity.
According to Iranian authorities at the time of her arrest, Mohammadi allegedly made provocative statements at a vigil in Mashhad, instigating attendees to disrupt public order. Mohammadi, honored with the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, has spent much of the last 20 years in Iran’s notorious Evin Prison.
The committee is calling for her release and access to medical treatment, amidst a backdrop of harsh crackdowns following significant protests in Iran, where many have risked their lives advocating for freedom and human rights.
