'Resistance is alive,' says jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi as her children accept Nobel Peace Prize

Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian activist serving a 10-year jail term in Tehran, was honoured with the Nobel Peace Prize 2023. Her teenaged twins accepted the award on her behalf at a ceremony in Oslo's City Hall on December 10, Sunday.

During the ceremony, Narges Mohammadi's 17-year-old twins delivered a speech in French on behalf of their mother, conveying her message from prison. Mohammadi acknowledged the resilience of young Iranians who transformed public spaces into a platform of civil resistance.

The Nobel Peace Prize, which included an 11 million Swedish crowns cheque (about $1 million), was collected by her twin children.

Narges Mohammadi received the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 for "her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her dedication to promoting human rights and freedom for all."

Nobel Peace Prize ceremony

• During the ceremony, Narges Mohammadi's 17-year-old twins delivered a speech in French on behalf of their mother, conveying her message from prison.

• Mohammadi acknowledged the resilience of young Iranians who transformed public spaces into a platform of civil resistance.

• She stated, "The resistance is alive, and the struggle remains unwavering. Resistance and non-violence are our best strategies, reflecting the difficult path Iranians have taken until today, driven by historical consciousness and collective will."

• In her address, Narges criticized Iran's "tyrannical" government, emphasizing the power of peaceful protest and resistance.

About Narges Mohammadi

• The 51-year-old Iranian human rights activist has faced almost continuous imprisonment since 2010. She has been arrested 13 times, convicted five times, and received a cumulative 31-year sentence. Her latest arrest in November 2021 led to multiple convictions, including charges of "spreading propaganda" against the Islamic Republic.

• Taghi Rahmani, Narges Mohammadi's husband and a political activist, resides in Paris in exile with their two children. The couple has been separated for years, unable to reunite.

Iran's reaction

Iran's Foreign Ministry previously criticised the Nobel award, labeling it "biased" and aligning it with "the interventionist and anti-Iran policies of some European countries."