The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to jailed human rights campaigner Narges Mohammadi "for her fight against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all".
In its announcement, the Norwegian Nobel Committee in Oslo said that this year’s peace prize "also recognises the hundreds of thousands of people who, in the preceding year, have demonstrated against Iran’s theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women".
"The motto adopted by the demonstrators – 'Woman – Life – Freedom' – suitably expresses the dedication and work of Narges Mohammadi," it added.
The 51-year-old Mohammadi, who is currently in prison and is also the deputy head of the Defenders of Human Rights Center founded by fellow Nobel laureate Shirin Ebadi, has been arrested 13 times previously, convicted five times and sentenced to a total of 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.
Her activism against the death penalty led to her re-arrest in 2015, and to a sentence of additional years behind walls.
Last year’s wave of protests In Iran became known to the political prisoners held inside the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.
"From captivity, Mohammadi has helped to ensure that the protests have not ebbed out," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said.
In September 2022, Mahsa Jina Amini was killed in Iranian morality police’s custody, triggering political demonstrations against Iran’s regime.
The names of this year's nominees were kept a secret, but more than 350 people and groups were said to be in the running.
Last year, the prize was jointly conferred to Russian human rights group Memorial, Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties and jailed Belarusian rights advocate Ales Bialiatski for the "promotion of peace" on the backdrop of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Since its inception in 1901, the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to 110 individuals and 30 organisations.
Past winners include Afghan campaigner Malala Yousafzai and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
Some organisations have been given the award several times.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has won it three times, while the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees was conferred twice.
Amit Shah & Akhilesh Yadav’s lighter exchange in LS over party president
Amid the uproar and heated debate between the ruling party and the Opposition over the Waqf Amendment Bill on Wednesday, the Lok Sabha witnessed some lighter moments between Home Minister Amit Shah and SP President Akhilesh Yadav.
Waqf Bill weakens Constitution, defames minorities, divides society: Gaurav Gogoi
As Parliament debated the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025, on Wednesday, deputy leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi came down heavily on the government.
Bill not linked to religion, it’s prospective and not retrospective: Kiren Rijiju flays naysayers
Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tore into the Opposition for ‘spreading falsehood’ over the Waqf Amendment Bill and urged the ‘doubters and naysayers’ to refrain from misleading the people on the proposed reforms.
Parliament was being claimed as Waqf property: Rijiju slams UPA for making provisions 'overriding' other laws
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday bashed the previous UPA government for de-notifying 123 properties and handing them over to the Delhi Waqf Board.
Bhopal’s Muslims burst firecrackers in support of Waqf (Amendment) Bill
A large number of Muslims in Madhya Pradesh's capital, Bhopal, burst firecrackers on Wednesday to express their support for the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which was presented in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day.
CPI(M)’s 24th party congress begins in Madurai, veteran leader Biman Bose hoists flag
The 24th Party Congress of the CPI(M) commenced on Wednesday in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, with senior leader Biman Bose hoisting the party flag at the historic Tamukkam Ground.
Vigil strengthened to curb illegal infiltration, human trafficking from B’desh: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that the state government has taken a series of steps to prevent illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, and the BSF as well as the state forces are on a strict vigil round-the-clock.
70 people convicted in 52 NDPS Act cases in Tripura: CM Saha
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Tuesday said that the state police have registered 52 cases and 70 people were convicted in the last three years under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985.