Nobel Peace Prize 2023

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who is imprisoned in Iran, was represented at the award ceremony by her daughter and son and by a portrait hanging behind her empty chair. The Peace Prize laureate’s husband, Taghi Rahmani, also attended the ceremony.

Ali Rahmani gestured with a peace sign after he and his sister Kiana had accepted the Nobel Peace Prize and delivered the Nobel Lecture on behalf of their mother, Narges Mohammadi. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB

The Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, paid tribute to this year’s laureate and explained the thinking behind the committee’s selection:

“The Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 goes to Narges Mohammadi for her courageous fight for freedom and human rights over three decades, and for taking leadership when a new wave of protests swept over Iran. This year’s Peace Prize recognises all the brave women in Iran, and around the world, who fight for basic human rights and for an end to the discrimination against and segregation of woman.”

The Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, Berit Reiss-Andersen, speaks during the ceremony. A large portrait of this year’s laureate hangs behind an empty chair. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB

"Woman, Life, Freedom!"

Since 2015, Narges Mohammadi has worked for the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Tehran. She took on a prominent role there when the organisation’s founder, the earlier Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi, had to go into exile. Ms Ebadi received her award 20 years ago and was present on Sunday during the ceremony in Oslo City Hall.

“Ms Mohammadi has continued Ms Ebadi’s work by writing, fighting, demonstrating and speaking up on every possible occasion, with no fear of the consequences,” Ms Reiss-Andersen said.

The King and Queen and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess during the ceremony in Oslo City Hall. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB

The Nobel Lecture was divided into two parts, with each of Narges Mohammadi’s twins reading a portion of the letter their mother had written for the ceremony.

Kiana Rahmani said she was lending her voice to her mother and to all the girls and women of Iran, who cannot be silenced. She also repeated the slogan that has been heard across Iran for the past year: “Woman, Life, Freedom.”

King Harald greets Kiana Rahmani, the daughter of this year’s Peace Prize laureate. Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB

Audience at the Royal Palace

Before the award ceremony, His Majesty King Harald granted Kiana and Ali Rahmani an audience at the Royal Palace. Her Majesty Queen Sonja and Their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit were also in attendance.

Ali and Kiana Rahmani in the Bird Room at the Royal Palace. Photo: Hanna Johre / NTB

Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party

Earlier in the day, Save the Children organised its traditional Peace Prize Party in honour of Narges Mohammadi. Kiana and Ali Rahmani attended the event together with Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit.

As in previous years, Save the Children brought together school pupils from Oslo and the surrounding area for an hour-long performance of music and dance and enthusiastic discussions inside the Nobel Peace Center. The Peace Prize Party was planned by 12 seventh-year pupils of Grünerløkka, Kampen and Vålerenga schools.

Kiana and Ali Rahmani were interviewed during Save the Children’s Peace Prize Party. Photo: Liv Anette Luane, The Royal Court

In the evening, the King and Queen and the Crown Prince and Crown Princess attended the Nobel Banquet at the Grand Hotel in honour of the Peace Prize laureate.