Iran: New sentence for Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi highlights Iran's free expression crisis

Photo: Courtesy of Narges Mohammadi’s Family

“Once again, Narges Mohammadi has been convicted following a sham trial in retaliation for her criticism of the regime and her relentless defense of human rights. Standing for human rights is no crime, but violating these rights is. Mohammadi's persistent persecution highlights the fragility of the Iranian regime, which, despite its oppressiveness, cannot tolerate criticism. We demand an end to Mohammadi’s unjust imprisonment now and for good” said Romana Cacchioli, Executive Director of PEN International.

21 June 2024: PEN International is outraged by the news of another retaliatory sentence against writer, human rights defender, and Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi. Her prison time has been increased to 13 years and three months, along with a further 154 lashes, exile, and four months of community service - street cleaning.

On 18 June 2024, Narges Mohammadi’s lawyer announced on X (formerly Twitter) that Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to another year in prison for “propaganda activities against the regime” related to her writings criticising Iran’s grim human rights record. The court ruling cited Mohammadi’s calls for Iranians to boycott parliamentarian elections due to a lack of democratic guarantees, as well as her letters to the Swiss and Norwagian Parliaments. This recent conviction is part of a series of investigations by the Iranian authorities since January 2023 into Mohammadi’s activism in prison, including her writings and criticism of the government. .

In November 2023, PEN International raised concerns about Mohammadi’s health after the Evin prison authorities refused to transfer her to a hospital for vital medical care because she refused to wear a headscarf. In January 2024, the organisation condemned a similar 15-month retaliatory sentence following Mohammadi’s conviction on charges including “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Despite the Iranian authorities' relentless efforts to silence her, Mohammadi continues to speak out in defence of human rights, including calling for an end to the war and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, as well as calling out the systematic discrimination against the Bahi community in the country.

The Iranian authorities' relentless persecution of Mohammadi over the last three years exposes the depth of the freedom of expression crisis in the country and the cruel weaponisation of the justice system to silence and punish critics.

PEN International reiterates its call for all retaliatory sentences against Mohammadi to be quashed and for her immediate and unconditional release. We remain deeply concerned about Mohammadi’s deteriorating health and stress that Iranian authorities must ensure her unconditional access to medical care pending her release.

For more information on Narges Mohammadi’s case history, click here

For more information, please contact Mina Thabet, Head of the MENA Region, email: Mina.Thabet@pen-international.org