A recent incident drew international attention when Iranian authorities questioned the lawyer connected to Mahsa Amini’s family and took custody of the Sakharov Prize, an honor given by the European Parliament for human rights advocacy. The prize, created by the European Parliament to honor courageous work in defending human rights, was reportedly moved to Iran for safekeeping by the lawyer, according to Hengaw, a non governmental group focused on Kurdish rights in Iran.
The lawyer, Salih Nikbajt, who operates from Norway, had just returned from France with the celebrated award. When he arrived at Tehran’s Khomeini International Airport, security forces detained him, confiscating his passport and mobile phone to limit communication. He later appeared as the representative for relatives of the Amini family at the ceremony held in Strasbourg. The event underscored a wider movement tied to Mahsa Amini, carried forward by the slogan Women, Life and Freedom, which has become a rallying cry for reform and human rights improvements in Iran and beyond.
Hengaw also reported that a Kurdish lawyer, known for defending political prisoners and death row inmates, faced domestic legal consequences. He received a one year prison sentence in October on charges the authorities described as counter propaganda. Human rights observers say such charges are often used to mute dissent inside the country.
The narrative connects Nikbajt to people within the Amini family network, including a sister identified as Hadith Najafi and other relatives who have endured personal tragedies. Reports recount a 20 year old sister who was killed by security forces during a protest and another person who lost an eye in demonstrations. These details illustrate the human cost tied to the ongoing protests and the state response, which have left a lasting impact on families and communities across generations.
Amini’s death last year followed her arrest during the enforcement of strict moral codes. Her case became a catalyst for broad demonstrations, especially in Kurdish majority areas, where the push for greater rights and protections resonated with many generations of protesters. The protest movement gradually cooled as security forces increased their suppression. Observers note fatalities and mass detentions during the period of upheaval, highlighting the high emotional and political stakes in the broader fight for women’s rights and civil freedoms in Iran.
The Sakharov Prize stands as a symbol of the European Union’s commitment to freedom of conscience and human rights. It is regarded as one of the EU’s most prestigious recognitions for individuals and groups who contribute significantly to defending human rights in challenging conditions. In this case, the prize’s presentation and the handling that followed have drawn renewed attention to the ongoing struggle for political and social reform in Iran, as reported by Hengaw and observed by those tracking the region’s human rights landscape notes.