From the confines of Iran’s Evin prison, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi delivered a powerful message through her children, Kiana and Ali Rahmani, during a ceremony in Oslo’s City Hall on Sunday.

Awarded the prestigious prize by the Norwegian Nobel committee in October for her non-violent advocacy against the oppression of women in Iran, Mohammadi’s speech underscored the Iranian people’s resilience against a government she deemed illegitimate and lacking public support.

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While her 17-year-old twins accepted the prize, a gold medal, and diploma on her behalf, Mohammadi’s speech emphasized the importance of continued resistance and non-violence as potent strategies for bringing about change.

Serving multiple sentences, including charges of spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic, Mohammadi conveyed her unwavering commitment to overcoming repression and authoritarianism through perseverance.

“I write this message from behind the high, cold walls of a prison,” Mohammadi said, highlighting the challenges faced by activists in Iran in their struggle to stay alive.

Her symbolic representation on stage in Oslo—a portrait and an empty chair—underscored the rarity of laureates being prevented from attending the ceremony.

Addressing the pervasive issue of mandatory hijab laws in Iran, Mohammadi condemned the government’s imposition, stating that it is not a religious obligation or cultural tradition but a means of control and submission.

The recent protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iranian morality police amplified the public’s discontent over economic hardships, discrimination against ethnic minorities, and stringent social and political controls.

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Mohammadi urged international civil society to support its Iranian counterpart, asserting that the Islamic Republic regime is experiencing a significant decline in legitimacy and popular social support.

As the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually on December 10, Mohammadi’s poignant message resonates globally, calling attention to the ongoing struggle for human rights in Iran.