The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi (born 1972) "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all."[1] She is the second Nobel laureate from Iran after Shirin Ebadi won in 2003. As of the announcement of the prize, Mohammadi is still in prison in Iran.[1]
In the 1990s, as a young physics student, Mohammadi was already distinguishing herself as an advocate for equality and women's rights. After studies, she worked as an engineer as well as a columnist in various reform-minded newspapers. In 2003, she became involved with the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Tehran, an organization founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi. In 2011, she was arrested for the first time and sentenced to many years of imprisonment for her efforts to assist incarcerated activists and their families. Two years later, after her release on bail, she immersed herself in a campaign against use of the death penalty. Her activism against death penalty led to her re-arrest in 2015, and to a sentence of additional years behind walls. Upon her return to prison, she began opposing the regime's systematic use of torture and sexualized violence against political prisoners, especially women, that is practiced in Iranian prisons. The Mahsa Amini protests became known to the political prisoners held inside the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran. Once again, she assumed leadership. From prison she expressed support for the demonstrators and organized solidarity actions among her fellow inmates. The prison authorities responded by imposing even stricter conditions and she was prohibited from receiving calls and visitors. From captivity, Mohammadi has helped to ensure that the protests have not ebbed out.[2]
Candidates
On February 22, the Norwegian Nobel Committee announced that they had received 305 nominations for the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, of which 212 are individuals and 93 are organizations. The number this year was fewer than the 343 candidates last year and the lowest since 2019. The highest number of candidates yet was in 2016.[3][4] Though nominations are kept strictly secret, several Norwegian parliamentarians and other academics are privileged to publicly announce their preferred candidates to boost publicity both for the nominee and the nominator.[4]
"in representation to hundreds of thousands of brave Iranians, women and men, who are willing to risk everything to bring peace and freedom back in Iran"
"for his fight to maintain social peace and for having contributed to the acquisition of food and medicine for Venezuela, despite being prohibited by U.S. sanctions."
"for their work in building democracies, supporting the human right to representation by government, and working towards a better organized and peaceful world."
"for their important function in defending democratic principles and controlling the exercise of government in the process of peace and reconciliation between nations"
"for their efforts in transforming the way families resolve conflict around the world by offering an alternative to litigation, a conflict resolution model called Collaborative Practice, or Collaborative Divorce"
"in recognition of works in areas of political instability, violence and war, and helping young people build their entrepreneurial skills and economic resilience."
^Nominated together with the Nigerian Security Chiefs:Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (b. 1965); Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (b. 1966); Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (b. 1966); Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao (b. 1965) and Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba (b. 1963)
^Saadi was nominated together with Tevogen Bio, the company he founded.[25]
^American Senator Marco Rubio of Florida nominated together with Representative Christopher Smith (b. 1953) of New Jersey, Senator Jeff Merkley (b. 1956) of Oregon, and Representative Jim McGovern of Massachusetts.[32]