The Nobel ceremony in Oslo on Sunday was saturated with seriousness and lack. Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi’s portrait hung behind the empty chair, her gaze looking out over royalty, dignitaries and human rights activists who hope a new chapter in Iran’s history will soon be written.
– By concentrating on women’s rights, Narges Mohammadi has highlighted the universal right to equality, said the Norwegian Nobel Committee’s Berit Reiss-Andersen.
She said that Mohammadi herself managed to convey which image would represent her at the ceremony. A picture where she was colorfully dressed, where she looked happy and where her hair was visible. And that her gaze would meet those who were present.
Continuing the fight
She has opposed the oppression of women, the compulsion to wear the veil and the state’s violent and repressive methods. For this, Mohammadi has received a prison sentence of ten years and 153 lashes.
“I want to express my gratitude to the (Norwegian Nobel Committee) for giving the prize to the important movement ‘Women, Life, Freedom’ and to a woman, a human rights activist and a defender of democracy, who is imprisoned,” Mohammadi said in a speech that was read out by her two children Kiana and Ali Rahmani – whom she herself has not met in eight years.
“The Iranian people will undoubtedly continue their struggle”.
In his acceptance speech, Mohammadi returned to the importance of the outside world continuing to put pressure on the regime in Tehran. Her words weighed heavily on a hushed congregation in the quiet town hall, carefully decorated with garlands of flowers.
Uses nonviolence
“The people of Iran have consistently emphasized nonviolent protest and civil resistance in efforts to achieve goals such as democracy, freedom, and equality… The world is witnessing how the government relentlessly and ruthlessly opposes this through repression, massacres, executions, and prison sentences,” Mohammadi continued in his letter.
Before the acceptance speech, the artist Mahsa Vahdat had then sung the traditional Kurdish piece “Tindarne Hopp”, and several of those who knew the lyrics cried. Next to Mohammadi’s empty chair sat the two children and her husband Taghi Rahmani, who lives in exile.
None of the three closest to her know when they will be able to be with peace prize winner Narges Mohammadi next.