News Center- Narges Mohammadi, an Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, wrote a letter from inside the notorious Evin Prison to the Norwegian Nobel Committee on October 6, marking one year since the announcement of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to her.

“One day, not too far from now, you will hear the anthem of our liberation from gender apartheid and the victory anthem of the Iranian people ending tyranny. That day will undoubtedly come, and you will share in our victory celebration,” she said in her letter.

Her letter is as follows:

“Peace is not just the absence of destruction, death, and the terror caused by war; it is also liberation from living under the ominous shadow of tyranny, poverty, discrimination, threats, execution, oppression, the anxiety of insecurity, and being forgotten and voiceless.

I do not believe that women—these numerous beings who have been pushed to despair by the severe discrimination, complex inequalities, and deeply rooted historical oppressions in countries that appear not to be at war—can feel peace.

The Nobel Peace Prize in 2023 awarded to me reflects the global attention and influence on the conscious and fighting women of Iran. It was a hope for the women of the Middle East. It was a support for the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement and a tribute to Mahsa (Zhina) Amini.

The world’s most prestigious award was given to a woman in Iran who is fighting for human rights and women’s rights, who dreams of a transition from tyranny to democracy, and whose ideals are freedom and equality. Its direct meaning was to support the committed democratic movement for human rights and women’s rights.

The announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize 2023 began with the slogan of the Iranian people’s movement. Hearing “Women, Life, Freedom” from the podium of the Nobel Peace Foundation was like an echo of the slogan of the protesting women and men in the streets, for which you have worked for a year to have it heard in the world. I sincerely thank you.

Even though I face many long years of imprisonment ahead, even though my phone calls were cut off just 50 days after receiving the award, even though I lost my father this year and did not even say goodbye at his grave, even though the separation from Kiana and Ali is an unbearable and unhealing pain that does not leave me, I am filled with the fervor of resistance, life, and struggle. I will endure any suffering, deprivation, and hardship for the sake of peace, democracy, and human rights, and the hardships will make me stronger and more resilient.

One day, not too far from now, you will hear the anthem of our liberation from gender apartheid and the victory anthem of the Iranian people ending tyranny. That day will undoubtedly come, and you will share in our victory celebration.

Today, we are extremely far from the peace that has been the aspiration of all the good-hearted people of the world. This distance can be bridged with strong will, courage, resilience, and the solidarity of peace-loving people.”