Shirin Ebadi
(1947-)

Iranian Human Rights Activist
1st Muslim Woman to win Nobel Peace Prize
2001 Rafto Human Rights Prize Winner
2003 Nobel Peace Prize Winner

birthdate: June 21
birthplace:
Hamedan, Iran

QUOTES

“We demand a non-violent world where human security is the basis of our common global security. People have the right to live in a world where the basic needs of all peoples are addressed. No more military attacks. No more war.”

Democracy doesn't recognize east or west; democracy is simply people's will. Therefore, I do not acknowledge that there are various models of democracy; there is just democracy itself.

Human rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every civilization.

"For anyone who pursues human rights in Iran, fear is a constant threat from birth to death. I have managed to overcome that fear."

How can you defy fear? Fear is a human instinct, just like hunger. Whether you like it or not, you become hungry. Similarly with fear. But I have learned to train myself to live with this fear.

I maintain that nothing useful and lasting can emerge from violence.

My aim is to show that those governments that violate the rights of people by invoking the name of Islam have been misusing Islam.

The idea of cultural relativism is nothing but an excuse to violate human rights.

We must not enable anyone to impose his personal view regarding religion on others by force, oppression, or pressure.

 

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