Human Rights Watch (HRW) demanded Monday the unconditional release of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi after the Iranian government threatened to re-imprison the human rights activist in an evident attempt to silence her.
Mohammadi’s health condition dramatically worsened during the prison sentence she has been serving since 2016. The group strongly expressed criticism of the Iranian policy to deny medical treatment to prisoners, pointing out that the consequences can be lethal.
Frederico Borello, interim executive director at Human Rights Watch, commented, “Iran’s authorities have a legal obligation to unconditionally release Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi and all others arbitrarily detained and to ensure that everyone in their custody has access to timely and adequate medical care.”
Mohammadi has been serving a 13-year sentence, having been initially convicted to 16 years for advocacy against the death penalty and protesting against the government in 2016. Upon the conviction, the UN decisively condemned the actions of Theran, particularly in the background of her known severe medical conditions. After being granted a reduced sentence in 2020, Mohammadi was temporarily released from prison.
The activist proceeded to advocate for human rights in Iran, protesting against abuse and torture in prisons. In the following year, Mohammadi was re-arrested with her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize being used as evidence for “espionage for a hostile state.” As a result of an artery blockage and an emergency surgery, she was again briefly released in February of 2022 and violently re-arrested in her apartment a month later.
In October 2023, the Nobel Committee announced that Mohammadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing her activism and being a standing inspiration for Iranian women. The Iranian High Council for Human Rights denounced the reward, and the Foreign Ministry accused the committee of being “spiteful and politically motivated.” Following this set of events, witnessing neglect of medical care for sick inmates, Mohammadi began a hunger strike in prison a month later.
In January 2024, Iran’s Revolutionary Court extended Mohammadi’s sentence to an additional 15 months in prison, after her conviction in absentia. The Laureate continued to suffer violence and abuse in prison, and her health deteriorated. With a 21-day suspension of her sentence, she is currently undergoing medical treatment. Relentlessly standing up for her freedom of speech, Mohammadi continues with her activism during the suspension, talking to fellow female Nobel Prize Laureates in a recent video conversation.
