Iranian-born human rights advocate and actor Nazanin Boniadi has been awarded the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize.
Among a strong field of candidates, the Peace Prize jury selected Boniadi “for drawing attention to human rights violations, for lending a powerful voice to support Iranian women and girls and their #WomanLifeFreedom movement, and for using a high-profile platform to promote freedom and justice in Iran”.
As an actor, Boniadi has used her public profile to campaign in solidarity with the people of Iran. Following the death of 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini last year, she played a significant role in bringing Iranian human rights into sharp focus on the world stage.
Boniadi also put the case of human and women’s rights in the country before the UN Security Council, the US Senate Human Rights Caucus, the British Parliament and forums across the globe.
Upon receiving the 2023 Sydney Peace Prize for her advocacy, Boniadi described the recognition as an “extraordinary honour”.
“As my compatriots in Iran are subjected to unspeakable assaults on their minds, bodies and souls and risk their lives to speak out against the injustices they experience daily, I can only dedicate this recognition to them and pledge to use this opportunity to further amplify their voices, centre them on the world stage, and support their dreams of a free, prosperous and secular democratic Iran.”
During a ceremony at Sydney Town Hall, Boniadi was officially announced the winner of the prize. In attendance was Sydney Peace Foundation patron and Lord Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore as well as gender and human rights expert Elizabeth Broderick.
“On behalf of the City of Sydney, we congratulate Nazanin for her long-time fight for justice. Her activism and advocacy for human rights and women’s rights in Iran is helping to turn outrage into action,” said Moore.
Broderick thanked Boniadi for “standing in solidarity with the women of Iran, who are bravely raising their voices for freedom, equality and human rights,”
“Recognising the importance of this female-led movement through this year’s Peace Prize winner will contribute to the much-needed momentum for change in Iran.”
Co-chairs of the Sydney Peace Foundation, Joy Kyriacou and Felix Eldridge said: “We must continue to pay attention to the atrocities faced by the people of Iran. The 2023 recipient, actress and activist Nazanin Boniadi, is a powerful advocate for the #WomanLifeFreedom movement, dedicating her platform to amplifying the voices of the brave protestors risking their freedom and their lives.”
Later in the year, Boniadi will travel to Australia to attend the Sydney Peace Foundation’s annual lecture at Sydney Town Hall and gala dinner at the University of Sydney. Here she’ll be formally awarded the Sydney Peace Prize.