In Nobel Speech, Jailed Mohammadi Blasts “Despotic” Govt in Iran

The teenage children of Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi have received the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of their jailed mother at a December 10 ceremony in Oslo, reading an acceptance speech their mother had managed to smuggle out of Tehran’s Evin prison.

In the speech read by twins Ali and Kiana, 17, Mohammadi said: "I write this message from behind the high, cold walls of a prison." 

"I am an Iranian woman, a proud and honorable contributor to civilization, who is currently under the oppression of a despotic religious government." 

🎥 کیانا و علی، فرزندان نرگس محمدی که در زندان اوین در اعتصاب غذا به سر می‌برد، به نیابت از مادرشان جایزه صلح نوبل را طی مراسمی در اسلو، پایتخت نروژ دریافت کردند.#صلح_نوبل #زندان #اطلاع_رسانی pic.twitter.com/nD2a2yY9v9

— ایران وایر (@iranwire) December 10, 2023

Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in October for keeping up the fight against the “oppression of women” in her country and for promoting “human rights and freedom for all” despite spending years behind bars.

The activist has been held in Evin prison since 2021. Her children have lived in exile in France for the past eight years.

"I am a woman prisoner who, in enduring deep and soul-crushing suffering resulting from the lack of freedom, equality, and democracy, has recognized the necessity of her existence and has found faith," Mohammadi said in the speech read by her children.

“The Islamic Republic regime is at the lowest level of popular legitimacy and this government has responded to people's demands by suppression, execution, slaughter, and imprisonment," she also said.

On December 9, Mohammadi announced she had gone on a three-day hunger strike.

Human rights activists have expressed concern about the activist’s health.