Launch of #FreeNarges coalition
The children of last year’s Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Narges Mohammadi, released a peace dove to mark the launch of a new coalition to free their mother from prison.
The Nobel Peace Conference Woman – Life – Freedom highlighted the dangerous rollbacks of women’s rights across the world and discussed best practices to counter them, in the presence of 250 guests and tens of thousands online participants from around the world. Among the speakers were four Nobel Peace Prize laureates and the children of last year’s laureate, Narges Mohammadi, currently imprisoned in Iran for her combat for women’s and human rights. Kiana and Ali Rahmani delivered a new, powerful message sent from their mother in prison:
"The power of women's defiance against misogynistic and discriminatory laws, traditions, religious rituals, and the moral values imposed by authoritarian, inhumane, and reactionary ideologies has been growing and expanding. This is why the government has even lined up women for execution, unaware that we are not afraid of execution. You hear these days about Pakhshan and Sharifeh, who have been sentenced to death, and Nasim and Varisha, who are at risk of the death penalty. I will stand by them and fight against executions"
In a supporting statement, fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate of 2021, Dmitry Muratov, said “It is time to free the cells for her executioners”.
Fawzia Koofi, first woman deputy speaker of parliament in Afghanistan, and former member of peace negotiations with the Taliban, delivered a strong speech on gender apartheid in Afghanistan, a topic that is more of relevance than ever.
"Developments in gender rights have moved in the wrong direction in many parts of the world in recent years. Last week, it was reported that the Taliban has intensified its repressive measures, now banned women’s voices and faces in public in Afghanistan. The work of the speakers gathered at the Nobel Peace Center today give us hope for a better future for women’s and human rights."
The conference also oversaw the launch of the newly formed #FreeNarges coalition. Asked by the Nobel Peace Center, what the center can do to support Narges Mohammadi in achieving her goals for peace, her family answered to reunite the good forces working to free Narges and other political prisoners in Iran, as the chances of success would be higher working as one.
The coalition is led by the Narges Mohammadi Foundation, PEN America, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and Front Line Defenders. Together, the coalition urges the global community to hold the Iranian government accountable for its abuses.
Narges Mohammadi is currently serving her latest sentence in Iranian prison from 2021, where she is being tortured and withheld the urgent medical care she needs as her health has rapidly worsened. The Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 was awarded to Narges Mohammadi for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all.
The live streaming from the conference is still available on the Nobel Peace Center’s website
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