Mahsa Amini, women's movement in Iran win EU's 2023 Sakharov freedom prize

Published October 20, 2023 12:17am

An unveiled woman stands on top of a vehicle as thousands make their way towards Aichi cemetery in Saqez, Mahsa Amini's hometown in the western Iranian province of Kurdistan on October 26, 2022, to mark 40 days since her death, defying heightened security measures as part of a bloody crackdown on women-led protests. A wave of unrest rocked Iran after 22-year-old Amini died on September 16, 2022 following her arrest by the morality police in Tehran for allegedly breaching the country's strict rules on hijab headscarves and modest clothing. UGC/ AFP

BRUSSELS — The European Union parliament awarded its annual Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to Iranian woman Mahsa Amini who died in police custody last year and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in Iran, it said on Thursday.

Jina Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom Movenment in Iran have been awarded the European Parliament’s 2023 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

For Women, for Life, for Freedom. pic.twitter.com/59CyYHluWH
— European Parliament (@Europarl_EN) October 19, 2023

"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," EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola said in a statement.

"By choosing them as laureates...this House remembers their struggle and continues to honor all those who have paid the ultimate price for liberty."

Amini, 22, born in Iran's western province of Kurdistan, died in morality police custody in September last year after being arrested for allegedly flouting the Islamic Republic's mandatory dress code.

While Amini's family said she had been killed by blows to her head and limbs, the authorities said she had died due to existing medical problems.

Her death sparked months of protests that spiraled into some of the worst political turmoil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Under the banner "Woman, Life, Freedom," Iranian citizens have been protesting against laws obliging women to cover their hair and wear loose fitting clothing.

Iranian security forces have continued their crackdown on dissent and briefly detained Amini's father on the anniversary of her death. — Reuters

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