Iran: Nobel Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi on Hunger Strike in Prison
Mohammadi initiates hunger strike after her refusal to wear hijab is named as grounds for denying the journalist critical health care
Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: November 6, 2023
Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian journalist and human rights defender who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize, has been denied medical treatment in Evin Prison, reportedly due to her non-compliance with Iran's compulsory hijab rule. In response, Mohammadi has embarked on a hunger strike, highlighting the ongoing struggle for press freedom and women's rights in Iran, including legal harassment and lengthy prison sentences. The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses its unwavering support for Narges Mohammadi and condemns the unjust treatment she is enduring. We call upon the global community to continue pressuring the Iranian authorities to release the journalist.
Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi has begun a hunger strike after being refused medical treatment for a second time on the grounds that she is not following mandatory state laws regarding wearing the hijab.
Mohammadi, renowned for her fearless advocacy, faces a critical health condition, with blocked heart veins necessitating angioplasty. However, her steadfast refusal to wear the hijab, a mandatory Islamic headscarf, has led to the authorities' decision to withhold essential medical care. This denial marks the second time her health needs have been disregarded on similar grounds.
The prison warden, as per statements from Mohammadi's family, cited the ban on transporting her without a headscarf as the primary reason for this refusal. This stance underscores the stringent enforcement of dress codes for women in Iran, often leading to severe repercussions for non-compliance.
Mohammadi's hunger strike serves as a profound protest against not only the denial of medical care to her and other inmates but also against the broader issue of compulsory hijab laws in Iran. The move gains additional significance considering it follows merely a month after her Nobel Peace Prize recognition, an award that spotlighted her long-standing battle against governmental oppression.
On October 10, Evin Prison authorities denied Narges Mohammadi, a prominent journalist, access to her lawyer solely based on her refusal to wear a hijab. Mohammadi, sentenced to more than 30 years and banned from seeing her family, is serving a lengthy prison sentence for "spreading anti-state propaganda."
The journalist, who has faced multiple arrests throughout her career, has been deprived of her right to participate in hearings, obtain legal representation, and present her defense in writing. Additionally, she has reportedly faced mistreatment and abuse from prison officials.
Despite calls from the UN and the international community, Iranian authorities persist in criminalizing Mohammadi for her work defending human rights. Her detention and sentencing have been deemed arbitrary and a violation of international law.
On October 6, the jailed journalist was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her remarkable efforts in fighting against the oppression of women in Iran and advocating for human rights and freedom for all.
In an audio recording prior to receiving the prestigious award, Mohammadi expressed her commitment to activism while being confined within the notorious Evin prison in Iran. Her recognition by the Nobel Peace Prize underscores the importance of her work and serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for human rights and gender equality in Iran and beyond.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism expresses unwavering support for Narges Mohammadi. We vehemently condemn the continued persecution of the journalist. These acts of harassment of women journalists in Iran are a flagrant violation of their rights and an apparent attempt to silence their voices. The international community must continue to exert pressure on Iranian authorities to respect freedom of the press and human rights. The unjust imprisonment of Mohammadi and others like her must not go unnoticed or unchallenged.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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