Alinejad Receives Inaugural Paulskirche Prize for Democracy
Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad was awarded the first-ever European Paulskirche Prize for Democracy in Frankfurt am Main for her fight against forced veiling and for human rights in Iran.
Historic Premiere in the Paulskirche
On March 31, 2026, the European Paulskirche Prize for Democracy was awarded for the first time in Frankfurt's Paulskirche. The prize, endowed with 50,000 euros, went to Iranian-American journalist, author, and women's rights activist Masih Alinejad. The prize's advisory board unanimously selected her from 30 applications.
The award ceremony in the cradle of German democracy — the place where the first freely elected German parliament convened in 1848 — underscored the symbolic power of the award. Frankfurt's Mayor Mike Josef (SPD) presented the certificate to Alinejad together with City Council President Hilime Arslaner (Greens).
Tribute by Bundestag President Klöckner
At the request of the award winner, Bundestag President Julia Klöckner (CDU) gave the laudatory speech. In her speech, Klöckner emphasized the importance of Alinejad's commitment: "In Iran, a piece of fabric decides whether a woman is free — or persecuted."
Alinejad herself dedicated the award to the "brave women and men who are fighting for a free Iran — many of them have sacrificed their lives for these values." In her acceptance speech, she called on Western democracies to strengthen the Iranian opposition not only with expressions of solidarity, but with concrete support.
From Headscarf Selfie to Global Movement
Masih Alinejad has lived in US exile since 2009 after receiving death threats from the highest levels. In May 2014, she published a photo of herself without a headscarf, triggering the "My Stealthy Freedom" campaign, which reached millions of Iranian women. Women shared pictures without the hijab — despite criminal prosecution in Iran.
Since then, Alinejad has survived several assassination attempts and kidnapping attempts on US soil, attributed to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. In an interview with Tagesschau, she said: "I love democracy" — and emphasized that it was more important to her "to live with dignity and have a mission."
Clear Criticism of Western Diplomacy
In her speech, Alinejad did not shy away from sharp criticism of Western governments. She accused them of legitimizing authoritarian regimes through engagement and trade: "When you legitimize a dictatorship, you empower it to kill more people." Those who fight for democracy must never be left alone.
She particularly criticized Western heads of state and government who congratulated the Iranian leadership after controversial elections in Iran. She described the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist organization.
A Prize with a Future
The European Paulskirche Prize for Democracy will be awarded every two years in the future. The city of Frankfurt created it in memory of the 175th anniversary of the National Assembly of 1848 and finances it from municipal funds. At a time when democratic values are under pressure worldwide, the award sends a clear signal — especially to the German public, that democracy must always be defended anew.
