12 December 2025

Norwegian Nobel Committee condemns the brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi

The Norwegian Nobel Committee is deeply concerned by today’s brutal arrest of Narges Mohammadi alongside a number of other activists. Ms. Mohammadi – the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate – is a staunch defender of human rights, freedom of expression and democratic participation in Iran.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately clarify Mohammadi’s whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions. The Committee stands in solidarity with Narges Mohammadi and all those in Iran who work peacefully for human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of expression.

Given the close collaboration between the regimes in Iran and Venezuela, the Norwegian Nobel Committee notes that Ms. Mohammadi is arrested just as the Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded to the Venezuelan opposition leader, Maria Corina Machado.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee

4 December 2024

Iranian authorities have to permanently end Narges Mohammadi’s imprisonment

The Norwegian Nobel Committee is glad to hear about Narges Mohammadi’s release, and is hoping to get in contact with her personally very soon to congratulate her in person on her Nobel Peace Prize. 

At the same time we are deeply worried about her enduring illness and pain. 

We call upon the Iranian authorities to permanently end her imprisonment and ensure that she will get adequate medical treatment for her illnesses. 

 We have said before and repeat today, that Narges Mohammadi should never have been arrested, charged and convicted in the first place, as the charges held against her are all false and without any merit. She has committed no other “crime” than to speak out for human rights and against discrimination, oppression of women and the use of death penalty. 

We are immensely proud of her courage and commitment to the brave causes she is fighting for.

We hope that she will be reunited with her beloved family very soon.

Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

20 June 2024

Statement by the Norwegian Nobel Committee on the harsh and unjust sentencing of Narges Mohammadi

The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Narges Mohammadi, has been sentenced to an additional year in prison for so-called “propaganda activities” against the authorities. The Norwegian Nobel Committee strongly condemns the harsh and unjust sentencing of Ms. Mohammadi by the Iranian Islamic Republic regime.

“This is a flagrant violation of human rights and a travesty of justice,” says Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.