Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi on Hunger Strike Over Medical Care and Hijab Mandate in Iranian Prison
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has taken a drastic step in her fight for justice and human rights. Mohammadi, who is currently serving a sentence in Evin Prison in Tehran, has begun a hunger strike to protest the inadequate medical care provided to her and fellow inmates, as well as the requirement for women to wear the hijab in Iran.
Mohammadi’s family holds the Iranian government responsible for their loved one’s deteriorating physical and mental health. They claim that the prison authorities have neglected her medical needs by refusing to transfer her to a hospital outside the prison for treatment. According to her family, Mohammadi’s condition requires urgent medical attention that is currently unavailable within the prison walls.
Showing their support, the Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, expressed deep concern about Mohammadi’s well-being. Reiss-Andersen also criticized the requirement for female inmates to wear a hijab in order to access proper healthcare. This discriminatory regulation is seen by many as a violation of human rights.
International human rights organization PEN International has joined the chorus of concern surrounding Mohammadi’s condition. They hold the Iranian authorities responsible for endangering her life and demand immediate action to ensure her well-being.
This is not the first time Mohammadi has faced adversity due to her activism for human rights in Iran. The prominent advocate has been incarcerated numerous times for her outspokenness. Most recently, she was arrested in November 2021, further limiting her ability to fight for justice.
Adding to the tragedy, Mohammadi has not seen her children, who reside in France, for the past eight years. This separation highlights the personal toll her commitment to human rights has taken on her life and relationships.
Interestingly, Mohammadi received the Nobel Peace Prize following widespread protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating Iran’s dress code for women. Amini’s tragic demise shed light on the oppressive nature and enforcement of the hijab in Iranian society.
Mohammadi’s strong opposition to the mandatory hijab stems from her belief that it symbolizes control and repression enforced by the authoritarian religious regime ruling Iran. Her hunger strike serves as a powerful tool to draw attention to the plight of both herself and countless others who are subjected to such repressive measures.
As the international community watches Mohammadi’s hunger strike unfold, the urgency to address her demands and the broader issue of human rights in Iran becomes apparent. The world waits anxiously to see how the Iranian authorities respond to this passionate fight for justice and equality.
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