BRUSSELS(I.S.Chouhdary /Correspondent LP)-In a significant move aimed at highlighting the ongoing fight for freedom and women’s rights in Iran, the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have awarded the prestigious 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Jina Mahsa Amini and the “Woman, Life, Freedom Movement” in Iran.
The announcement was made by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola during a session held in the Strasbourg plenary chamber on Thursday. The decision to bestow this honor was reached by the Parliament’s Conference of Presidents, composed of President Metsola and leaders from various political groups.
President Metsola, in her announcement, emphasized the importance of this choice, saying, “On 16 September, we marked one year since the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini in Iran. The European Parliament proudly stands with the brave and defiant who continue to fight for equality, dignity, and freedom in Iran. We stand with those who, even from prison, continue to keep Women, Life, and Freedom alive. By choosing them as laureates for the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2023, this House remembers their struggle and continues to honor all those who have paid the ultimate price for liberty.”
Jina Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, tragically became a symbol of the fight for women’s rights in Iran. She was arrested by police in Tehran on September 13, 2022, on charges of violating Iran’s strict veiling laws. Regrettably, she lost her life in a Tehran hospital just three days later due to physical abuse sustained while in custody.
Amini’s death ignited massive women-led protests across Iran, rallying under the banner of “Woman, Life, Freedom.” These demonstrations were not only against the hijab law but also sought to address other discriminatory laws affecting women in the country.
The Iranian regime’s severe crackdown on these protests led to widespread condemnation by the European Parliament. In October 2022, MEPs called for sanctions against Iranian officials implicated in Jina Mahsa Amini’s death, as well as those involved in the regime’s repressive actions. They also expressed unwavering support for the peaceful protest movement in Iran.
