Growing Calls for Hospital Care of Iranian Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi

Calls grow over hospital care for jailed – International pressure is mounting for improved hospital care for Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian human rights activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner currently imprisoned. Her family and the Nobel Committee have intensified efforts to secure her transfer to a more suitable medical facility after her condition worsened significantly. Reports indicate that Mohammadi was moved from her northwest Iran prison to a local hospital on Friday, a decision described by relatives as a “last-minute” response to her deteriorating health.

Health Crisis and Urgent Calls

Mohammadi’s brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, who lives in Norway, has highlighted the critical state of his sister’s health. Speaking to the BBC, he stated that her blood pressure had dropped sharply, and medical staff struggled to stabilize her. “Her current problems include low blood pressure and a heart attack, but her previous conditions, such as pulmonary embolism and stenting, make treatment in Zanjan effectively impossible,” he emphasized. This aligns with earlier warnings from December, when he claimed prison officials delayed her hospitalization despite known health risks.

“Her condition has escalated to a point where immediate action is essential,” Hamidreza Mohammadi told the BBC. “The delay in providing adequate care has put her life in danger.”

The Narges Mohammadi Foundation, representing her family, issued a statement on Friday, stressing that the transfer to the hospital happened “after a catastrophic deterioration in her health.” The foundation accused authorities of denying her access to specialized care for 140 days of detention. Jorgen Watne Frydnes, head of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee, echoed these concerns, warning that Mohammadi’s life remains at risk due to inadequate medical support.

Political Context and Detention Details

Mohammadi’s health crisis has underscored the challenges faced by political prisoners in Iran. She has been imprisoned for 31 years and subjected to 154 lashes, as per her family’s account. Her latest arrest in December 2024 was for criticizing the government, which led to her temporary release on medical grounds. However, she was recaptured in Mashhad after continuing her advocacy, including a speech at a memorial for another human rights activist.

According to her brother, Mohammadi was beaten during her arrest, contributing to her subsequent health issues. Following her re-imprisonment, she was sentenced by a Revolutionary Court in early February for charges of “gathering and collusion” and “propaganda activities,” adding seven-and-a-half years to her sentence. Since being transferred to Zanjan Prison, her family has reported limited contact with her, raising further concerns about her access to medical care.

Her detention and treatment have become a focal point for human rights organizations and international observers. The Nobel Committee’s ongoing support for her cause has amplified calls for her to receive proper hospital care. Advocates argue that her prolonged imprisonment, combined with delayed medical interventions, has jeopardized her well-being and highlighted systemic issues within Iran’s prison healthcare system.