Editorial»
Laurels for Nobel Peace Prize winner
DEC 13 - This week my friend of more than 25 years, Iranian human rights advocate Shirin Ebadi, received 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. When it began, Shirin was a revolutionary woman. She never imagined that human rights would be trampled in the name of Islam. She is a Muslim, one who places special importance on worship and who performs her religious duties. Among friends, I have never heard her criticize Islam as being in conflict with human rights. Nor did she believe that religious law could deprive women of the right to serve as judges. I will never forget her angry, distraught look when she was removed from the bench. A deep depression threatened her. But before long, she became a mother, and soon she began her new work as a tireless defender of children’s rights. She wrote a book on the subject and laid the foundation for establishment of the Association for the Support of Children’s Rights. After receiving her license to practice law, she became active in the political arena. She fought violations of human rights by the prevailing judicial and political powers, and she took on the defense of political prisoners under the most dangerous political conditions.When political disaster struck me and my family, Shirin put herself in danger to help us. She accepted my case when I was imprisoned for participating in the Berlin conference on Iran in 2000. When the judge insulted her and refused to admit her in court, she resigned in protest, later explaining her reasons in world tribunals. For a year in 2001, while my husband endured confinement in illegal jails, Shirin worked to learn of his condition. She sought to save us from the awful fear that comes from not knowing.
For years Shirin has worked for reform—carefully but steadily. Over time, the movement of which she is a part has become an undeniable force in the political and social construct of the country. Today its political power has been recognized by the world’s most important watchdog organizations, which have determined that Iran’s fundamentalists are slowly losing the strength to confront this measured political force.The Nobel award to Shirin is a signal that Iranians working for human rights will have the support of the world. It is indeed a type of political interference—but it is without bombs, missiles or military occupation, and it is supported by the Iranian people. Shirin’s prize will help give Iranians the confidence to change the human rights situation in their country. She represents all those who have nonviolently strived and sacrificed over the years for human rights. Shirin’s prize confirms that those who suffer for her cause in Iran are not alone—even those in solitary confinement.Moreover, it draws attention to the laws of Iran, under which even an accomplished woman such as Shirin Ebadi has little more than the rights of a slave. Women have little legal control over children. (With regard to custody, mothers can have custody of boys up to 2 years of age, and girls up to age 7.) They must have the written official permission of their husbands to leave the country. They must wear Islamic covering or risk jail. They live in danger of floggings, stonings and other violent punishments. People such as Shirin Ebadi can be condemned to death in secret courts resembling Europe’s Inquisition. Lawyers are not permitted to be present with their clients at the first interrogation, which is usually accompanied by torture. In many cases, lawyers cannot have access to the complete files of cases that are considered political.I pray that Shirin Ebadi, as the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, can move forward to instill in Iranian girls the spirit of hope and the energy and drive to act against this assault on human rights. I hope the Iranian people will take courage from this prize and organize to build a powerful movement in Iran for human rights. We have no time to waste.Posted on: 2003-12-14 03:10
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