For her first video appearance since her release from prison last October, Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi addressed thousands of local and international online activists who had launched a Twitter campaigns calling for her release.
Your activism makes change. ✊
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) January 8, 2021
Following the release of human rights defender Narges Mohammadi from prison, she urges us to continue to fight for human rights and freedom in #Iran pic.twitter.com/IgMJWOWZvV
The prominent activist, who had been arrested multiple times over her criticism of the Iranian government, thanked the internet activists who had launched the hashtag #FreeNarges and used it to tweet about the injustice she was facing in jail until she was released after spending more than 5 years in prison.
Narges is one of the well-known members of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, which had received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for their work despite the difficulties they keep facing since they work from inside Iran. Since the late 1990s, Narges was arrested several times, mostly for highlighting human rights violations committed by the Iranian government, especially for her stance against the death penalty, which is still carried out often in Iran.
We Ask #Iranian Authorities For Immediate and Unconditional Release of These Mothers, #NargesMohammadi, #NazaninRatcliffe and #NasrinSotoudeh in The Name of Justice and Humanity. Please Be Their Voice Today. RT Please.#FreeNarges#FreeNazanin #FreeNasrin https://t.co/wisW3Z03VY
— Barbara Maier ⚢ 🏳️🌈 ⚢ (@BarbaraM68) September 17, 2020
Narges Mohammadi is a #HumanRights activist and she was sentenced to 16 years in prison, her place is not in there. her children wanna hear their mother’s voice. We should be her voice #FreeNarges#صدای_نرگس_باش pic.twitter.com/w1oIJl1AtW
— Kasra (@kasra_ranjbar) July 20, 2020
In May 2015, Narges who is a mother of two was arrested and put on trial resulting in a 16-year sentence over "forming an illegal group," but was released about four months ago after her sentence was reduced by the court, which is believed to be due to social media pressure.
Narges Mohammadi sends gratitude to the Amnesty International for their campaign toward her release from the prison after 8.5 years. Happy to see she looks healthy and in a high spirit few months after her release.
— Nayereh Tohidi (@NTohidi) January 5, 2021
Let's demand the release of all political prisoners! pic.twitter.com/8s0qxMwiA2
Last Friday, a video posted by Amnesty international's social media accounts featured 48-years old Narges as she thanked everyone who had ever campaigned for her freedom, wishing to be able to continue working for human rights in her country. Narges' video highlighted the role social media can play in protecting human rights: "Your activism makes change."
The Iranian authorities have issued heavy sentences to protesters & dissidents, as well as torturing those arrested, in an attempt to silence dissent & stop protests in their tracks.#WeStand4FreeIran https://t.co/nMyq7Wllhq
— EffatHaddad (@HaddadEffat) January 11, 2021
However, increasing reports are highlighting a spike in torture cases in Iranian jails. According to social media commentators, Iranian authorities are torturing political dissidents in prisons to send a warning message to other activists, so it blocks any attempts for a new wave of protests against the authorities.
