Quotes by Shirin Ebadi

About Shirin Ebadi:

Shirin Ebadi is an Iranian lawyer, a former judge and human rights activist and founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. On 10 October 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, especially women's, children's, and refugee rights. She was the first ever Iranian to receive the prize.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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.

Shirin Ebadi

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

Shirin Ebadi

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

Shirin Ebadi

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

Shirin Ebadi

What is important is that one utilizes one's intellect and not to be 100 percent sure about one's convictions. One should always leave room for doubt.

Shirin Ebadi

Lawyers have a dangerous job in Iran.

Shirin Ebadi

Lawyers should not be charged with the same crimes as their clients. Trials related to political charges are not in accordance with human rights.

Shirin Ebadi

Sadly the job security of lawyers has been ruined, so they are less willing to defend political defendants.

Shirin Ebadi

Because of our youthful population, we suffer from unemployment in Iran. We need more universities and more job opportunities for the young.

Shirin Ebadi

The younger generation is essentially idealistic. This applies to the Iranian youth as well. In addition, the youth in Iran face certain difficulties... the Iranian youth need more freedom. They are struggling for more freedom and democracy. This com...

Shirin Ebadi

No American soldier should be allowed to set foot on Iranian soil, regardless of the criticism we have of the Iranian government.

Shirin Ebadi

The Iranian government intends to use the nuclear program for peaceful purposes, but must convince international public opinion of that.

Shirin Ebadi

We shouldn't just consider the desire of government to do what it wants to do. We should always consider the resistance of people. The culture of Iranian people doesn't let the government drag people into deep trouble or backlash. Maybe government wa...

Shirin Ebadi

The international community can't trust such a government. If the government of Iran wants the international community to believe in what it says, it should try to bring true, pure democracy into the country. The political solution to the energy issu...

Shirin Ebadi

Women are the victims of this patriarchal culture, but they are also its carriers. Let us keep in mind that every oppressive man was raised in the confines of his mother's home.

Shirin Ebadi

I hope the example of Saddam Hussein will give a lesson to leaders of other countries where human rights are not respected.

Shirin Ebadi

When a person is humiliated, when his rights are being violated, and he does not have the proper education, naturally he gravitates toward terrorism.

Shirin Ebadi

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.

Shirin Ebadi

When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp. The funny thing is that human rights activists and Mr. Bush can never be situated in the same group.

Shirin Ebadi

Usually, in any revolution people are focused on who wants to have the most power. But the most important thing is the laws that are written during that time.

Shirin Ebadi

Author Bio

  • NameShirin Ebadi
  • DescriptionIranian lawyer, human rights activist, and Nobel Peace Prize recipient
  • BornJune 21, 1947
  • CountryIran
  • ProfessionJudge; Writer; Human Rights Activist; Peace Activist; Lawyer
  • AwardsNobel Peace Prize; Commander Of The Legion Of Honour; Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize; Felix Ermacora Human Rights Award