Mahsa Amini: EU’s Sakharov Prize Recognises Iranians’ Fight For Freedom

Mahsa Amini died on 16 September 2022, three days after she was arrested by Iran’s notorious morality police for allegedly violating the mandatory headscarf law.

Although Iranian authorities said Amini succumbed to a heart attack, her supporters argue she was beaten by police and died as a result of her injuries.

The 22-year-old Kurdish woman’s mysterious death in police custody triggered worldwide demonstrations against the country’s conservative Islamic theocracy.

Amini’s Death “Triggered A Movement That Is Making History

Authorities responded with a brutal crackdown on protesters in which more than 500 people were killed and 22,000 detained, according to rights groups.

Although the protests largely died down earlier this year, there are still prominent signs of discontent. For several months, Iranian women could be seen openly challenging the rule.

Recognising Amini’s death that “triggered a movement that is making history”, the Iranian woman has been awarded the EU’s prestigious Sakharov Prize.

Sakharov Prize Recognises The Woman, Life, Freedom Movement In Iran

The award was created in 1988 to honour individuals or groups who defend human rights and fundamental freedoms. The ceremony will take place on December 13.

The European parliament president, Roberta Metsola, highlighted the “brutal murder” as she announced the awarding of the prize to Amini and the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran.

Last year’s Sakharov Prize was awarded to the people of Ukraine and their representatives for their resistance to Russia’s brutal “Special Military Operation”.

EU Using The Top Prize To Send A Message To Moscow

“There is no one more deserving of this prize,” Metsola said at the time, adding the people of Ukraine are “protecting democracy, freedom and rule of law. Risking their lives for us.”

President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the EU’s support, tweeting: “Ukrainians prove dedication to the values of freedom, democracy every day on the battlefield.”

At the time, the award announcement marked the second time in as many years that EU lawmakers used the top human rights prize to send a message to Moscow.