In a dramatic development, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, imprisoned in Iran, has initiated a hunger strike to protest against her confinement conditions and the mandatory requirement for women to wear headscarves. The activist conveyed her decision through a message from Evin Prison to her family, revealing that she commenced the hunger strike several hours ago, as announced by the Free Narges Mohammadi campaign.
Mohammadi and her lawyer have been tirelessly working for weeks to arrange her transfer to a specialized hospital that can cater to her heart and lung care needs. While the campaign did not disclose the specifics of Mohammadi’s health condition, it did mention that she underwent an echocardiogram for her heart.
As of now, Iranian state media has not acknowledged Mohammadi’s hunger strike, leaving her protest largely unacknowledged by the authorities. Despite facing numerous arrests and enduring years of incarceration, Mohammadi has steadfastly continued her activism. She emerged as a prominent figure during the nationwide, women-led protests that erupted following the tragic death last year of a 22-year-old woman in police custody. These protests have evolved into one of the most formidable challenges faced by Iran’s theocratic government.
The young woman, Mahsa Amini, was detained for the alleged violation of not wearing her headscarf, or hijab, as prescribed by the authorities.
