Free Republic

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...

Those in Iran and overseas hoping human rights activist Shirin Ebadi would use her new stature as Nobel Peace Prize winner to stand against the Islamic regime look set to be disappointed. For Ebadi, "nothing has changed", and her often quiet work consisting of poring over the case files of dissidents or lobbying for steady legal reform does not look set to evolve into open political confrontation with authorities. Ebadi, 56, is also firm in her determination to stay out of politics -- and has been quick to stamp on suggestions she could one day, for example, run for president....

Norwegian politicians joined Iranian reformists in hailing Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi on her arrival in Oslo Monday to pick up the award, urging the world to open its eyes to human rights violations by Tehran. Members of the Norwegian parliament said giving the 2003 prize to the Iranian lawyer for her work to promote children's and women's rights would help reinvigorate reformists in Iran, who under President Mohammad Khatami have struggled to overcome stiff resistance to change from powerful hardline clerics. Ebadi was Iran's first female judge before the 1979 Islamic revolution forced her to step aside in...

Iranian Nobelist reminded again of her Historic Mission SMCCDI (Information Service) Oct 25, 2003 The Iranian Nobelist, Ms. Shirin Ebadi, was reminded of her Historic Mission during a radio program broadcasted, this evening, for Iran by the LA based famous "Radio Voice of Iran" (KRSI). The subject of the program which follows Ms. Ebadi's controversial interview with Associated Press (AP), was intended to warn the nobelist on how she can join Mr. Khatami in his rejectable and un-popular position if she commits the mistake to become the advocate of the sham "reforms from within". Ms. Ebadi has been reported, by...

EVIN (PRISON) IS NOT A BAD PLACE by Shirin Ebadi* IPS 10.19.2003/TEHRAN - When I went to visit my friend, colleague and ex-client, Mrs. (Mehrangiz) Kaar and told her in a semi-humorous, semi-serious tone that I had requested prison authorities to put her in the best cell possible”, I understood the true meaning of what I had told her when fifteen days later, that is on the seventh day of the first month of summer of 1379 (27/5/00), I was myself transferred to the Evin Prison ward called 209. As soon as the two night guards (women) saw the papers,...

EBADI RETURNED TRIUMPHANTLY, AS KHATAMI INSULTED IRANIANS Iran Press Service TEHRAN 14 Oct. (IPS) “The Nobel prize for peace is not that important, as it is usually bestowed on political considerations. Look at some of the personalities who have received it, Anwar el Sadat, Yaser Arafat or Menachim Begin. But the literature or scientific prizes are most important, for they are given on researches and works”, said Iran's President Mohammad Khatami on Tuesday. In his first reaction to the Peace Prize for 2003 offered on 10 October by the Nobel Academy of Norway to the Iranian lawyer and human rights...

Tens arrested and several injured during crackdown on Ebadi's supporters SMCCDI (Information Service) Oct 14, 2003/Tens of the supporters of Mrs. Ebadi have been arrested or injured following the brutal attacks of the Islamic regime's militiamen. The sporadic clashes happened late evening in the Mehrabad Airport, Azadi Square, Youssef Abad (near Mrs. Ebadi's home) and the HafHose area of Narmak district. Militiamen with clubs and chains were seen attacking the supporters who were shouting slogans against the regime and all its leaders including its incompetent president. Slogans calling for regime change and against rule of terror, such as "Down with...

Slogan-Chanting Iran Crowd Welcomes Nobel Laureate October 14, 2003 Reuters/ Christian Oliver and Parisa Hafezi TEHRAN -- About 3,000 Iranians, chanting "Free political prisoners" and "Liberty and justice are the slogans of our nation," welcomed home Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi on Tuesday. The human rights lawyer's Nobel prize has ignited strong passions in her home country, reflecting deep political divisions between reformers and hard-liners over the future of the Islamic Republic. In a carnival-like atmosphere at Tehran's Mehrabad airport, welcomers clapped, linked arms and sang popular anthems dating from before the 1979 Islamic revolution.

A Nobel Prize for A Noble Cause October 10, 2003 Iran va Jahan Shaheen Fatemi Last week, we endorsed the Iranian dissident Hachem Aghajari, for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. At that time no one (including Shirin Ebadi herself!) knew that she also had been nominated. After hearing the good news this morning and listening to parts of her news conference, we feel proud, exhilarated, and hopeful for the future of human rights in Iran. Had we known, our endorsement would have been different. What was most essential for us was focusing world attention on the situation of human rights...

Shirin Ebadi, human rights defender who enraged Iran's hardliners TEHRAN (AFP) Oct 10, 2003 Shirin Ebadi, 56, is one of Iran's most prominent human rights defenders, whose campaigning on behalf of women, children and outspoken dissidents has earned her the wrath of the Islamic republic's religious hardliners. Prior to the 1979 Islamic revolution, she made headlines when she became the country's first female judge. But she was stripped of her post when the new ruling clerics decided that women were unsuitable for such responsibilities. Rather than retire to a life of obscurity, Ebadi continued to lecture in law at Tehran...