The Sydney Peace Prize for 2023 has been awarded to Iranian-born actress and political activist Nazanin Boniadi for her work advancing human rights in Iran.

Her work brought human rights in Iran into sharp focus after the death of Mahsa Amini last year, presenting the case to the UN Security Council, US Senate Human Rights Caucus, British Parliament, and a number of other forums around the world.

The Peace Prize jury said Boniadi was selected from a strong field of nominations “for drawing attention to human rights violations, for lending a powerful voice to support Iranian women and girls and their Woman Life Freedom movement, and for using a high-profile platform to promote freedom and justice in Iran.”

On accepting the Prize, Boniadi said: “Receiving the Sydney Peace Prize is an extraordinary honor. 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.”

The Sydney Peace Prize is Australia’s international prize for peace that recognizes leading global voices that promote peace, justice and nonviolence.