Mersedeh Shahinkar (born 1984) is an Iranian political activist who won the Sakharov Prize in 2023 as a part of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement together with Afsoon Najafi.[1][2] In 2022 Iranian protests after Mahasa Amini's death by the Iranian regime, she lost her right eye[3] as she was shot by a security agent. The government of Iran has called her a “threat to the country’s security”.[4][5] In March 2023, due to growing concerns about her safety and the continued pressure from the regime, Mersedeh left Iran for Germany to continue her advocacy for the rights of Iranian women.[6]
Mersedeh Shahinkar | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Mersedeh Shahinkar (in the middle) at the EP 2023 Sakharov Prize ceremony on 12 December 2023 | |
| Born | 1984 (age 40–41) Rasht, Iran |
| Occupation | Political activist |
| Movement | Woman, Life, Freedom movement |
| Children | 1 |
| Awards | Sakharov Prize (2023) The National Endowment for Democracy Award (2023) The Politiken’s Freedom Prize (2024) |
Eye injury
editIncident
editOn October 15, 2022, Mersedeh and her mother joined other protesters on Tehran's Sattar Khan Street, chanting slogans against the Islamic Republic. Around 7:30 p.m., security forces—some on foot and others on motorcycles—moved in to disperse the crowd. An officer fired a paintball gun at her eye. Her mother, who had been shot in the leg a week earlier, was still taking antibiotics and painkillers at the time.[7]
Aftermath
editAfter the incident, her bloody-faced photo spread rapidly online, prompting significant attention on social media. She subsequently left the country with her 11-year-old daughter.[4]
Awards
editIn November 2023, she received the National Endowment for Democracy Award.[6] The following month, in December 2023, Mercedeh and Afsoon Najafi jointly won the Sakharov Prize as part of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement.[1] In 2024, the Politiken's Freedom Prize was given to her.[8]
Personal life
editMersedeh Shahinkar is interested in physical fitness and works as a fitness instructor.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Award of the 2023 Sakharov Prize: statements by Afsoon Najafi and Mersedeh Shahinkar representing Woman, Life, Freedom Movement, Sakharov Prize 2023 laureates". Multimedia Centre. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Sakharov Prize: The voices of Iranian women cannot be silenced (videos)". European Parliament. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ Mercer, Greg (12 January 2024). "Blinded but not silenced". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ a b Membrado, Zahida (14 December 2023). "Mersedeh Shahinkar, Sakharov Prize: 'Losing my eye made me more decisive. The struggle of the Iranian people will continue until the end'". EL PAÍS. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ "Politiken: She receives freedom award". Ritzau. 26 January 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "2023 Democracy Award—Movement: Women of Iran". National Endowment for Democracy. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ Ghajar, Aida (16 November 2023). "Blinding as a Weapon (53): "Beauty Lies in Differences"". IranWire. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
- ^ Jerichow, Anders (23 January 2024). "Agenter skød hendes øje i stykker. Nu får hun Politikens Frihedspris". Politiken (in Danish). Retrieved 10 March 2025.
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