Narges Mohammadi, a courageous 53-year-old Iranian activist and winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, faces serious human rights violations in Iran
She dedicates her life to defending women’s rights, fighting against the mandatory wearing of the Islamic veil, and promoting greater freedom and equality in a country marked by strong repression.
Because of her peaceful activism, she has been imprisoned several times since 2009 and today serves sentences totaling more than 17 years in prison.
Even behind bars, she does not remain silent: she goes on hunger strikes and denounces the injustices she witnesses.
Recently, the situation worsened alarmingly.
In December 2025, Mohammadi was on temporary medical leave when she decided to attend the funeral of Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer known for defending human rights.
At the event, plainclothes security agents arrested her in an extremely violent manner.
According to reliable reports received by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, she was beaten with sticks and pieces of wood, dragged by her hair – causing open wounds on her scalp – and kicked in the pelvic and genital area, suffering intense pain that makes it difficult to even sit or move.
These abuses continued in prison, where she remains without adequate access to independent medical care, putting her life at risk.
A statement from the Nobel Committee, released on February 11, 2026, described the treatment as horrific and demanded her immediate release, as well as guarantees of professional medical care.
Shortly after, in February 2026, Mohammadi received a new sentence: another seven and a half years in prison, on charges of making “provocative statements” during the memorial.
To protest the arbitrary detention and lack of medical treatment, she began a hunger strike on February 2nd.
Six days later, she had to interrupt it because her health deteriorated severely, requiring hospitalization.
The case is generating strong indignation worldwide because it reveals the brutal repression of the Iranian regime against those who dare to disagree.
In 2025, Iran executed more than 2,000 people – the highest number in 36 years – many of them on vague charges such as “espionage” or participation in protests.
Organizations such as Amnesty International and PEN America report constant attacks against activists, including within prisons.
What makes it all even more shocking is the contrast with international decisions.
On February 10, 2026, Iran was elected vice-president of the UN Commission on Social Development, a body that promotes democracy, gender equality, and tolerance – values “”that the regime ignores when torturing people like Mohammadi.
Criticism on social media and in various countries points to the hypocrisy in this choice, especially after the UN Secretary-General congratulated Iran on its position.
Countries like France and various international organizations have already expressed concern, classifying the sentence as yet another act of repression and intimidation against the Iranian people.
Narges Mohammadi’s story exposes how authoritarian regimes attempt to silence voices that peacefully fight for basic rights.
The Nobel Committee reiterates that her imprisonment is arbitrary and unjust, and insists on the need for her immediate release, guaranteeing adequate healthcare.
Her story reminds us that defending human rights is everyone’s cause.
Following the work of organizations like the Nobel Committee or the Narges Foundation, sharing information, and paying attention to these cases can help push for change and protect those who face such courage in the silence of prisons.
Published in 02/12/2026 06h12
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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