Mahsa Amini, the Kurdish-Iranian woman who died in police custody, is awarded EU human rights prize

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Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman who tragically passed away while in police custody in Iran last year, has been honored with the European Union’s prestigious human rights prize. The EU award, named in memory of Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, was established in 1988 to recognize individuals or groups who champion human rights and fundamental freedoms. Andrei Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, passed away in 1989.

Among the other finalists for the award this year were notable figures such as Vilma Núñez de Escorcia and Roman Catholic Bishop Rolando Álvarez, prominent figures in the struggle for human rights in Nicaragua, as well as a trio of women hailing from Poland, El Salvador, and the United States who are advocating for “free, safe, and legal abortion.”

Mahsa Amini’s untimely demise occurred on September 16, 2022, following her arrest for alleged violations of Iran’s mandatory headscarf law. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola remarked that this day would be remembered in infamy, characterizing Amini’s death as a “brutal murder” that marked a pivotal moment.

Metsola further stated, “It has triggered a women-led movement that is making history,” as she announced the awarding of the prize to Mahsa Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. She highlighted the global resonance of the chant, “Women, Life, Liberty,” which has become a rallying cry for those advocating for equality, dignity, and freedom in Iran.

Notably, women have played a prominent role in the protests, publicly defying the compulsory Islamic headscarf, known as the hijab. The European Union, comprising 27 nations, has imposed sanctions on Iranian officials and entities, including ministers, military officers, and Iran’s morality police, in response to human rights abuses stemming from the protests.

Roberta Metsola reaffirmed the EU’s support for those who continue to champion women, life, and freedom, even from within prison. By awarding them the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2023, she emphasized the European Parliament’s commitment to acknowledging their struggle and honoring all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for liberty.

Mahsa Amini’s demise, which occurred three days after her arrest by Iran’s morality police, remains a point of contention. While authorities claimed she suffered a heart attack, her supporters assert that she was subjected to police brutality and succumbed to her injuries. Her passing ignited nationwide protests that swiftly evolved into calls for the overthrow of Iran’s four-decade-old Islamic theocracy.

In response, authorities carried out a violent crackdown, resulting in the deaths of over 500 individuals and the detention of more than 22,000 others, according to human rights organizations. While the protests have subsided this year, signs of widespread discontent persist. For several months, women openly challenged the headscarf rule in Tehran and other cities, prompting a renewed crackdown during the summer.

The award ceremony honoring Mahsa Amini is scheduled to take place on December 13. Last year’s Sakharov Prize was awarded to the people of Ukraine and their representatives in recognition of their resistance to Russia’s invasion and their unwavering defiance during the ongoing conflict.

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More about Mahsa Amini human rights award

• EU Human Rights Prize (Sakharov Prize) – Official page providing information about the EU Human Rights Prize (Sakharov Prize) and its history.
• Mahsa Amini: Kurdish-Iranian woman’s death sparks protests – Al Jazeera’s coverage of Mahsa Amini’s death and the protests it ignited in Iran.
• Women’s Rights in Iran: Protests Against Mandatory Hijab – A report by Human Rights Watch on women’s rights and protests against the mandatory hijab law in Iran.
• European Parliament’s Actions on Iran – Document outlining the European Parliament’s actions, including sanctions, in response to human rights abuses in Iran.
• Andrei Sakharov: Nobel Prize Laureate – Nobel Prize’s page about Andrei Sakharov, the namesake of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
• Iran’s Political Landscape – Council on Foreign Relations’ analysis of Iran’s political landscape and its challenges.