Nargis Mohammadi’s husband speaks of his dedication to human rights: NPR


Husband of Nobel Peace Prize laureate talks about his dedication to human rights.


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Iranian journalist Taghi Rahmani, husband of Iranian rights campaigner and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nargis Mohammadi, speaks with his son Ali, during a press conference in Paris on October 6, 2023.

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Iranian journalist Taghi Rahmani, husband of Iranian rights campaigner and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nargis Mohammadi, speaks with his son Ali, during a press conference in Paris on October 6, 2023.

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Overcome with emotion after hearing that his wife, Iranian human rights activist Nargis Mohammadi, had won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday, her husband Taghi Rahmani called the media from their home in Paris.

He was taking Mohammadi’s phone because she is serving a long prison sentence in Iran’s Avon prison.

In an interview with NPR, Rahmani said that although his wife’s fight for human rights and continued incarceration won him the award, he was happy that the award itself symbolized her. Is.

“The Islamic Republic is very powerful – domestically and regionally – so the people of Iran do not stand for a simple state,” Rahmani said.

“When you take such a repressive regime, where it has the support of minorities, and you see so much resistance to the government, and the Nobel Committee came and highlighted one aspect of that resistance,” he added. If it does, it forces us to. Feel like the world is watching our resistance, our protest.”

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Family photos are seen at the apartment of Taghi Rahmani, husband of Nargis Mohammadi, on Friday, October 6, 2023, in Paris. Imprisoned Iranian activist Nargis Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in recognition of her tireless campaign for women’s rights and democracy and against the death penalty. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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Family photos are seen at the apartment of Taghi Rahmani, husband of Nargis Mohammadi, on Friday, October 6, 2023, in Paris. Imprisoned Iranian activist Nargis Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in recognition of her tireless campaign for women’s rights and democracy and against the death penalty. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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When asked if he hoped that his wife would be released soon, Rahmani said that while he wished for his wife’s release and the family’s reunion, he knew that his wife The struggle will be long.

“We have faced this deprivation. But people, they have their beliefs, they have role models – those things are the foundations of their struggle,” he said, adding that his wife’s role models include Nelson Mandela and Martin. Includes Luther King Jr. You live with these role models, you see the bigger picture, especially in the pursuit of freedom. And I hope that she will remain fully dedicated to this cause.”

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FILE – Prominent Iranian human rights activist Nargis Mohammadi, center, sits with Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi as they attend a meeting on women’s rights in Tehran, Iran, August 27, 2007.

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Rahmani said his wife stands with all other human rights activists imprisoned in Iran – whether they are pro-democracy, or fighting for women’s rights, human rights and religious freedoms.

“All these people are different and have different points of view, but they are united in their demands for freedom. And Nargis Mohammadi has always been one of them,” Rahmani said.

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Nargis Mohammadi’s daughter Kiana Rahmani attends a press conference to celebrate her mother’s Nobel Peace Prize in Paris on October 6, 2023. Journalist and activist Nargis Mohammadi, 51, won the Nobel Peace Prize while in prison for her efforts against oppression of women in Iran, including her activism against mandatory hijab and the death penalty.

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Nargis Mohammadi’s daughter Kiana Rahmani attends a press conference to celebrate her mother’s Nobel Peace Prize in Paris on October 6, 2023. Journalist and activist Nargis Mohammadi, 51, won the Nobel Peace Prize while in prison for her efforts against oppression of women in Iran, including her activism against the mandatory hijab and the death penalty.

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Rahmani told NPR that his wife often says she hopes her own children will forgive her for choosing the path and fighting for the freedom of other Iranian children. Especially considering that even children and teenagers have been targeted by the security forces.

“Though you think you’d like to be free for Narcissus, true freedom means freedom for everyone. Not just for a few while others remain bound…and Narcissus is free until then. will not feel until others are free.” Rahmani said.

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