The Iranian Yaser Shiran, who has been in Portugal since 2014 – for almost ten years – considers that the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Narges Mohammadi is a sign of “hope” for the freedom of the Iranian people.
“For me, this Nobel Prize shows that, in a free world, there is still hope to help the people of Iran obtain their freedom,” says the Iranian in statements to TSF.
Yaser Shiran speaks with a tone of joy, which does not hide the enthusiasm he feels at seeing such an important figure in the fight against the oppressive regime in Tehran recognized.
“After a lot of bad news last year, we are very happy to see this news,” he underlines, while pointing out the criticism of some European countries and the US for often legitimizing “the brutal regime” of Iran.
The Iranian also regrets that the attitudes of foreign states have made the population of his country feel, on many occasions, that they are “alone.”
“When we see Biden, the US president, giving six billion dollars to the regime, we feel alone. The people of Iran are truly alone. Narges deserves this award,” he says.
For this reason, Yaser Shiran believes that the awarding of this award to Narges Mohammadi is also a message to the United States.
Mohammadi has spent much of the last two decades in and out of prison due to her campaign against mandatory hijab for women and the death penalty. In total, she was “arrested 13 times, convicted five other times, and sentenced to 31 years in prison and 154 lashes.”
The activist and three other women are in Evin prison in Tehran for burning their hijabs on the anniversary of Amini’s death on September 16.
Iran ranks 143rd among the 146 countries ranked by the World Economic Forum in terms of equality between men and women. Iranian authorities harshly suppressed the “Women, Life, Freedom” uprising last year. According to the Iranian Human Rights organization, 551 protesters, including 68 children and 49 women, were killed by security forces and thousands more were detained.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which awards the Nobel Peace Prize, said it hopes Iran will release the laureate so she can be present at the award ceremony in December.
Source: TSF
