In a shocking turn of events, the family of Mahsa Amini has been banned from traveling to France to receive a top human rights prize in her honor. The parents and brother of Ms. Amini were stopped from boarding their flight and had their passports confiscated, according to their lawyer. Despite having valid visas, they were prohibited from leaving the country.

The European Union had announced in October that it would posthumously honor Mahsa Amini with the Sakharov Prize, along with recognizing the global "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement that her death sparked. The prize was to be presented in Strasbourg, France.

The 22-year-old Kurdish woman's tragic death last year triggered widespread protests in Iran, surpassing any previous demonstrations the country had witnessed. Ms. Amini passed away in a Tehran hospital on September 16, 2022, just three days after being detained by morality police for allegedly violating Iran's strict hijab laws.

While witnesses reported that she was beaten while in custody, authorities denied any mistreatment, attributing her death to "sudden heart failure." The international community, however, expressed deep concerns over her treatment and the circumstances surrounding her demise.

Chirinne Ardakani, the family's lawyer, revealed that Ms. Amini's mother, father, and brother were barred from boarding the flight to France despite possessing valid visas. She criticized the Iranian authorities, stating that they have been unusually adamant about preventing the families of victims from sharing their stories with the international community.

Roberta Metsola, the president of the European Parliament, called on Iran to reverse its decision and allow the family to travel. She emphasized the importance of their presence at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, where the Sakharov Prize ceremony was scheduled to take place alongside the courageous women of Iran. Metsola firmly proclaimed that the truth cannot be silenced.

This is not the first time that Ms. Amini's family has faced hardships. On the anniversary of her death, her father, Amjad, was detained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and warned against commemorating his daughter. Despite the threats, thousands of people worldwide marked the anniversary by participating in mass protests. Fortunately, Mr. Amini was later released.

Relatives of the victims from last year are now being forced to cancel memorial events. The Iranian authorities seem determined to suppress any remembrance of the injustices that occurred.

The impact of Mahsa Amini's story continues to resonate globally, as thousands of people from around the world take to the streets to commemorate her death. Her tragic fate has shed light on the ongoing human rights concerns in Iran and further underscored the importance of fighting for freedom and dignity for all individuals.