Laurels for an Iranian Revolutionary

The Washington Post ^ | December 10,2003 | Mehrangiz Kar

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Today my friend of more than 25 years, Iranian human rights advocate Shirin Ebadi, is to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. Predictably enough, when the honor for this remarkable woman was announced in October, forces that control her country's most powerful state organs were infuriated. "Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to a defender of human rights in Iran is a political act that aims to interfere in Iran's internal affairs," they said.

Indeed, it is. For Iranians, especially women, who for 24 years have experienced the bitter consequences of the 1979 revolution, it is a welcome political message. It is a political act aimed at improving human rights in Iran, and one that many Iranians hope can help to bring about much-needed change.

How did Shirin Ebadi become the carrier of this message? It began, perhaps, when she and the country's other female judges were removed from the bench following the revolution. And for what offense? For the offense of being women.

Attacks on the lives, wealth and dignity of women as well as on non-Muslims and on the political opposition have been a continuing feature of the Iranian revolution, a revolution that supposedly was to bring democratic and accountable government.

[claudiustg]

She took the opportunity to denounce the US action in Iraq. It's OK on the left to virtually save the world, just not actually.