Narges Mohammadi: A Voice of courage

Shariq Ali
Valueversity

The re-arrest of Nobel Peace Prize–winning Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi on 12 December 2025 has once again triggered global concern. According to reports, she was detained during a memorial ceremony in the eastern city of Mashhad, and eyewitnesses state that the arrest was carried out violently.

Narges Mohammadi is no longer just an individual name; she has become a powerful symbol of resistance against state repression in Iran—standing for women’s rights, freedom of expression, and human dignity. Despite receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023, her life has remained under constant surveillance, threats, imprisonment, and pressure.

Her latest arrest occurred while she was attending a memorial held for a lawyer whose death was considered suspicious. Slogans raised at the gathering—“Death to the dictator” and “Long live Iran”—served as a stark reminder that dissent is still treated as a crime in Iran.

The Nobel Committee and international human rights organizations have strongly condemned the arrest, demanding that Iranian authorities clarify her whereabouts, ensure her safety, and secure her immediate and unconditional release.

Narges Mohammadi herself has written that her life has been shattered by continuous surveillance, censorship, arrest, and the constant threat of violence. This is not merely the story of one woman—it represents the voices of thousands who refuse to remain silent despite living under fear.

Over the past year, she has openly opposed the forced hijab, met activists across the country, and continued to write for international media about state repression in Iran. It is this courage that repeatedly costs her freedom.

Her latest arrest forces us to confront a fundamental question:
Has speaking the truth truly become so dangerous?

For Valueversity, the story of Narges Mohammadi is not just political news. It is a reminder that freedom is never gifted—it must be demanded, and often, a heavy price must be paid.