Peace laureates appalled and saddened by the death of Mahsa Amini in Iran

Nobel Women’s Initiative condemns the Iranian government’s barbaric actions against women and calls for protection of human rights for all.

The Nobel Peace laureates join condemnation inside and outside Iran of the brutal treatment of Mahsa Amini, and a renewed crackdown by Iran's morality police street patrols enforcing a compulsory dress code. 

“We condemn these barbaric actions toward women in Iran,” said laureate Shirin Ebadi. “Women should be free to choose whether or not to wear a hijab.”

The laureates are appalled and saddened by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she was severely beaten in the head when she was in police custody in Tehran where she was visiting relatives. 

Eyewitnesses said Mahsa Amini was beaten in a police van, fell into a coma and died in hospital Friday. Her death sparked protests at her funeral in her hometown of Saqez where, according to videos received and verified by the BBC Persian Service, the security forces opened fire on protesters. Some protesters had taken off their headscarves and waved them in the air. According to the news and videos published on social media, the police are dealing violently with protesters, resulting in injuries and hospitalisations.  Many others have been arrested.  Suppression of people continues, and a definite number of detainees is not available.

Dr. Shirin Ebadi, a human rights lawyer, and a former judge in Iran, was awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to promote human rights, particularly the rights of women, children, and political prisoners in Iran.

She is united in this statement with laureates Tawakkol Karman of Yemen, Leymah Gbowee of Liberia, Rigoberta Menchú of Guatemala, and Jody Williams of the United States.