Shirin Ebadi

Shirin Ebadi (Persian: ????? ?????; born June 21, 1947) is an Iranian lawyer and human rights activist. On December 10, 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the first Iranian and the first Muslim woman to receive the prize.

Nobel Peace Prize

On October 10 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/2003/press.html

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October 10 - 2003

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The selection of Ebadi by the Norwegian Nobel committee is thought by some observers to represent an implicit criticism of American policy in the Middle East, in particular the 2003 Invasion of Iraq. George W. Bush has referred to Iran as a member of the axis of evil, and Iran has also been suggested as a possible invasion target.

Related Topics:
American - Middle East - 2003 Invasion of Iraq - George W. Bush - Axis of evil

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At a press conference shortly after the Peace Prize announcement, Ebadi herself explicitly rejected foreign interference in the country's affairs: "The fight for human rights is conducted in Iran by the Iranian people, and we are against any foreign intervention in Iran.." http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A21850-2003Oct13.html

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http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?itemid=15804

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On the other hand, some observers also view her selection as a calculated and political one, along the lines of the selection of Lech Wa??sa and Mikhail Gorbachev, among others, for the Peace Award. They claim that none of Ebadi's previous activities were directly related to the stated goals for the award of the Nobel Peace Prize, as originally stated by Alfred Nobel, and that according to the will of Alfred Nobel the prize should be awarded "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses". President Khatami has stated that although the scientific Nobels are important, the Peace Prize "is not important and is political". Khatami?s words raised objections in the general public, resulting in Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi stating that "abusing the President's words about Mrs. Ebadi is tantamount to abusing the prize bestowed on her for political considerations".

Related Topics:
Lech Wa??sa - Mikhail Gorbachev - Alfred Nobel - President Khatami - Mohammad Ali Abtahi

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