I join people around the world in congratulating Nargis Mohammadi on being awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize and celebrating her unshakable courage. Ms. Mohammadi’s commitment to building the future that women and all people in Iran deserve has inspired those around the world fighting for human rights and basic human dignity. She was repeatedly arrested, persecuted and tortured by the Iranian regime, but Ms. Mohammadi became increasingly firm in her advocacy and determination. The award is a recognition of Nargis Mohammadi’s clarion call for freedom and equality that the world still hears despite her current unjust imprisonment in Evin Prison . I urge the Iranian government to immediately release her and her fellow gender equality advocates.
Sadly, Ms Mohammadi’s award came in the same week as horrifying reports emerged that Iran’s so-called moral police attacked 16-year-old Armita Geravand for not wearing a headscarf. The Iranian people refused to be silenced or intimidated as they fought for a free and democratic future for their country, and their peaceful movement “Women, Life, Freedom” demanding respect for human rights brought hope to people around the world. We will continue to commemorate the bravery of all human rights defenders and remember Mahesa Amini and all those killed, injured or imprisoned by the regime. The United States will continue its efforts to support Iranians advocating for their future, free speech, gender equality, and an end to gender-based violence against women and girls around the world.
As part of these efforts, the United States will continue to lead a diplomatic initiative at the United Nations to highlight, condemn, and promote accountability for Iran’s abuses. We also deployed anti-censorship tools to make the internet more accessible to tens of millions of Iranians and sanctioned more than 100 Iranian individuals and entities responsible for supporting the regime’s oppression of its people.
The United States will continue to stand with Ms. Mohammadi, the brave people of Iran, and those around the world who are working with tenacity and determination to make our world more equal and freer.
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