Jina Mahsa Amini and the Iranian women protest movement bagged the prestigious 2023 Sakharov Prize. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced this. This recognition stems from their unwavering commitment to challenging oppressive laws, epitomized by the tragic demise of Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman. The European Parliament’s decision stands as a powerful testament to the persistence of those who fight for equality, dignity, and freedom in Iran.
Transition to Background: The announcement, made in the Strasbourg plenary chamber on Thursday, followed a meticulous decision by Parliament’s Conference of Presidents, which comprises President Metsola and leaders of various political groups.
JINA MAHSA AMINI’S STORY
President Metsola, reflecting on the one-year anniversary of Jina Mahsa Amini’s murder in Iran, declared the Parliament’s solidarity with those bravely challenging oppressive forces. Amini’s arrest in Tehran for alleged violations of strict veiling laws and subsequent death from physical abuse in custody became a catalyst for widespread women-led protests in Iran.
TRANSITION TO PROTEST MOVEMENT
Under the rallying cry “Woman, Life, Freedom,” these protests have been a powerful response to not just the hijab law but a broader stand against discriminatory legislation. The European Parliament, in the face of the Iranian regime’s brutal crackdown, has consistently condemned the dire human rights situation in the country.
PARLIAMENT’S RESPONSE AND SUPPORT
MEPs have actively called for sanctions against Iranian officials implicated in both Amini’s tragic death and the regime’s oppressive actions. Their support for the peaceful protest movement in Iran has been unwavering, with demands for more significant sanctions and placing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the EU’s terrorist list.
CEREMONY
The Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, an annual recognition by the European Parliament since 1988, serves to honour individuals and organizations championing human rights and fundamental freedoms. The award ceremony is slated for December 12, 2023, in Strasbourg, celebrating the courage embodied by Jina Mahsa Amini and the Iranian women’s protest movement.
