Shirin Ebadi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shirin Ebadi
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| شيرين عبادى | |
Ebadi in 2017
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| Born | 21 June 1947 Hamadan, Iran
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| Nationality | Iranian |
| Alma mater | University of Tehran |
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| Known for | Defenders of Human Rights Center |
| Awards | Rafto Prize (2001) Nobel Peace Prize (2003) JPM Interfaith Award (2004) Legion of Honour (2006) |
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Shirin Ebadi (Persian: شيرين عبادى, romanized: Širin Ebādi; born 21 June 1947) is a famous Iranian Nobel Prize winner. She is a lawyer, writer, teacher, and a former judge. She also started the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. In 2003, Shirin Ebadi won the Nobel Peace Prize. She earned this award for her important work promoting democracy and the rights of women, children, and refugees. She was the first Muslim woman and the first Iranian person to receive this special award.
Since 2009, she has been living in London.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming a Judge
Shirin Ebadi was born in a city called Hamadan in Iran. Her father, Mohammad Ali Ebadi, was a chief public notary and a professor. In 1948, her family moved to Tehran.
In 1965, she started studying law at the University of Tehran. She finished her studies in 1969. After that, she passed exams to become a judge. In March 1969, she officially became a judge. She was one of the very first women judges in Iran. She also continued her studies and earned a doctorate degree in law in 1971. In 1975, she made history again by becoming the first woman president of the Tehran city court. She worked there until the Iranian Revolution in 1979.
After the revolution, she was not allowed to work as a lawyer for a long time. Her requests were turned down many times. She finally got to practice law in 1993. During the time she couldn't work, she wrote many books and articles for Iranian magazines.
Shirin Ebadi as a Lawyer and Activist
By 2004, Shirin Ebadi was teaching law at the University of Tehran. She also worked as a lawyer in Iran. She strongly supports making laws better for children and women. Her work for women's rights was very important. It helped the reformist Mohammad Khatami win the presidential election in 1997.
As a lawyer, she is known for helping people for free. She often took on cases for people who spoke out against the government.
Ebadi also worked on cases about banned magazines and newspapers. She started two non-profit groups in Iran. One is the Society for Protecting the Rights of the Child (SPRC), started in 1994. The other is the Defenders of Human Rights Center (DHRC), started in 2001.
She also helped write a law to protect children from physical abuse. The Iranian parliament passed this law in 2002. Women in Parliament also asked Ebadi to write a law about women's right to divorce. She presented this bill to the government. However, the male members did not consider it, and she had to leave.
Shirin Ebadi's Beliefs
In her book Iran Awakening, Shirin Ebadi shares her thoughts on Islam, democracy, and equality. She believes that Islam can go hand-in-hand with equality and democracy. She says that it's not religion that holds women back. Instead, it's the choices of those who want to limit them. She also believes that change in Iran must happen peacefully and from within the country.
Ebadi loves Iran and is proud of her country. She was against the pro-Western Shah who ruled before the revolution. She first supported the Islamic Revolution. She remembers the 1993 overthrow of Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddeq by the CIA with anger.
After winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Ebadi said that Iranians themselves should fight for human rights in Iran. She was against any outside countries getting involved.
She has also supported Iran's nuclear energy program. She said it brings national pride to Iran. However, in 2012, she said that the Iranian people want to stop nuclear enrichment. She noted that Iran is on an earthquake fault line. People are worried about a Fukushima-like event. She believes that if Iranians can change their government, the situation could get better.
Ebadi also shared her views on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. In 2010, she supported a bill at the University of California. This bill asked the university to stop investing in companies that helped the Israel Defense Forces.
She also spoke about the Shia religion in Iran. She said that after the Arabs came and Iran became Muslim, Iranians chose the Shiite sect. This was different from the Arabs, who are Sunni. She noted that Persians were still Muslims but "We were Iranian."
After Hassan Rouhani won the 2013 Iranian presidential election, Shirin Ebadi worried about human rights violations. In 2013, she said that the problems in Iran would not be solved.
In 2015, Ebadi said that Western countries should spend money on education and ending corruption. She believes this is better than fighting with guns against groups like ISIL. She thinks that because ISIL's ideas come from a "wrong interpretation of Islam," fighting them physically won't end their beliefs.
In 2018, Ebadi said that the Islamic Republic cannot be reformed anymore. She called for a vote on the future of the Islamic Republic.
Winning the Nobel Peace Prize
On October 10, 2003, Shirin Ebadi received the Nobel Peace Prize. She won it for her work for democracy and human rights. The committee called her a "courageous person." They said she never let threats stop her. Now, she travels around the world giving speeches. She is against forcing a change in government.
Her win surprised some people. Many thought Pope John Paul II would win. Her prize came at a time when there was hope for better relations between the U.S. and Iran.
She gave the Nobel Committee a book she wrote. It was called Democracy, human rights, and Islam in modern Iran. This book showed the history of democracy and human rights in Iran. It covered from Cyrus and Darius 2,500 years ago to Mohammad Mossadeq, who nationalized the oil industry.
In her acceptance speech, Ebadi spoke against unfair rules in Iran. She said that Islam, democracy, human rights, and freedom of speech can all exist together. She also criticized the United States' foreign policy. She was the first Iranian and the first Muslim woman to win the prize.
Thousands of people greeted her at the airport when she returned to Iran. The reaction to her award in Iran was mixed. Supporters were very happy. However, conservative media did not give it much attention. The president at the time, Mohammad Khatami, said it was a political award. Iranian officials were silent or critical. They called it a political act by a pro-Western group. They also criticized Ebadi for not covering her hair at the Nobel ceremony.
In 2009, Norway's Foreign Minister said that Iranian authorities had taken Ebadi's Nobel Peace Prize. Iran denied this.
After the Nobel Prize
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Since winning the Nobel Prize, Ebadi has given many lectures. She has taught and received awards in different countries. She has also spoken out and defended people accused of political crimes in Iran. She wrote her autobiography, which was translated into English. She also helped create the Nobel Women's Initiative. This group works for peace, justice, and equality for women. In 2019, Ebadi asked for a treaty to end violence against women.
Facing Threats
In April 2008, she told a news agency that human rights in Iran had gotten worse. She agreed to defend Baháʼís who were arrested in Iran.
Ebadi said that threats against her and her family had increased. These threats warned her not to give speeches abroad. They also told her to stop defending the persecuted Baháʼí community in Iran. In August 2008, a news agency published an article attacking Ebadi. It linked her to the Baháʼí Faith and accused her of seeking Western support. It also criticized her for defending homosexuals and not wearing a headscarf abroad. It even accused her daughter of converting to the Baháʼí faith. Shirin Ebadi denied this, saying her family are Shiites. She believes these attacks were because she agreed to defend the Baháʼí leaders.
In December 2008, Iranian police closed down the office of a human rights group she led. Another group, Human Rights Watch, was very worried about Ebadi's safety. In 2009, they asked Iran to stop bothering her. They said Iran had held Ebadi's husband and sister. They were threatened with losing their jobs if Ebadi continued her human rights work.
Prize Taken Away
In November 2009, Ebadi said that her Nobel Peace Prize medal and diploma were taken. They were taken from her bank box. Her French Legion of Honor award and a ring from Germany were also taken. She said the Revolutionary Court took them. Ebadi also said authorities froze her bank account. Norway's Foreign Minister was shocked by this. The Iranian foreign ministry denied taking the prize. They also criticized Norway for getting involved in Iran's matters.
Important Events After Her Nobel Prize
- 2003 (November) – She offered to be the lawyer for the family of Zahra Kazemi. Kazemi was a Canadian photographer who was murdered.
- 2004 (January) – At a meeting in India, Ebadi suggested that January 30th be the International Day of Non-Violence. This was the day Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. The UN General Assembly later chose October 2nd, Gandhi's birthday, as the day.
- 2004 – Forbes magazine named Ebadi one of the "100 most powerful women in the world."
- 2005 (Spring) – Ebadi taught a course on "Islam and Human Rights" at the University of Arizona in Tucson.
- 2006 – Her first book for a Western audience, Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope, was released.
- 2006 – Ebadi helped start The Nobel Women's Initiative. This group brings together women Nobel Peace laureates. They work for peace, justice, and equality for women worldwide.
- 2008 (April) – Ebadi said that threats against her and her family had become stronger. These threats warned her to stop defending Iran's persecuted Baháʼí community.
- 2008 (June) – Ebadi offered to be the lawyer for arrested Baháʼí leaders in Iran.
- 2008 (September) – Ebadi published her book Refugee Rights in Iran. It showed that Afghan refugees in Iran did not have many rights.
- 2008 (December) – Iranian authorities closed Ebadi's office for the Center for the Defense of Human Rights. They took her computers and files.
- 2009 (January) – People who supported the government attacked Ebadi's home and office.
- 2009 (June) – Ebadi was in Spain during the Iranian presidential election. When protests started, her colleagues told her not to return home. She has not returned to Iran since.
- 2009 (September) – Ebadi criticized the British government. She said they were focusing on nuclear talks instead of human rights in Iran. She called for Western countries to reduce their diplomatic ties with Iran.
- 2009 (November) – Iranian authorities took Ebadi's Nobel medal and other items from her safe-deposit box.
- 2009 (December) – Ebadi's sister, Noushin Ebadi, was held. Shirin Ebadi said this was to silence her.
- 2010 (June) – Ebadi's husband spoke against her on state television. Ebadi said he was forced to do this after being arrested and tortured.
- 2012 (January) – Ebadi asked people worldwide to help release three opposition leaders. They had been under house arrest for almost a year.
Other Important Work
Shirin Ebadi is involved in many other important groups and activities:
- She is a Co-Chair of the International Advisory Board for Apne Aap Women Worldwide.
- She is a member of the Selection Committee for the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity.
- She is a member of the Business for Peace Award Committee.
- She is a member of the Emeritus Board for Reporters Without Borders (RWB).
- She is a member of the Ambassadors Council for Scholars at Risk (SAR).
- She was a member of the Jury for the Nuremberg International Human Rights Award.
Awards and Recognition
Shirin Ebadi has received many awards and honorary degrees for her work:
Awards
- Awarded by Human Rights Watch, 1996
- Rafto Prize, Human Rights Prize in Norway, 2001
- Nobel Peace Prize in October 2003
- Women's eNews 21 Leaders for the 21st Century Award, 2004
- International Democracy Award, 2004
- James Parks Morton Interfaith Award, 2004
- ‘Lawyer of the Year’ award, 2004
- UCI Citizen Peacebuilding Award, 2005
- The Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement, 2005
- Legion of Honor award, 2006
- Toleranzpreis der Evangelischen Akademie Tutzing, 2008
- Award for the Global Defence of Human Rights, 2009
- Wolfgang Friedmann Memorial Award, 2013
Honorary Degrees
- Doctor of Laws, Williams College, 2004
- Doctor of Laws, Brown University, 2004
- Doctor of Laws, University of British Columbia, 2004
- Honorary doctorate, University of Maryland, College Park, 2004
- Honorary doctorate, University of Toronto, 2004
- Honorary doctorate, Simon Fraser University, 2004
- Honorary doctorate, University of Akureyri, 2004
- Honorary doctorate, Australian Catholic University, 2005
- Honorary doctorate, University of San Francisco, 2005
- Honorary doctorate, Concordia University, 2005
- Honorary doctorate, The University of York, The University of Canada, 2005
- Honorary doctorate, Université Jean Moulin in Lyon, 2005
- Honorary doctorate, Loyola University Chicago, 2007
- Honorary Doctorate The New School University, 2007
- Honorary Doctor of Laws, Marquette University, 2009
- Honorary Doctor of Law, University of Cambridge, 2011
- Honorary Doctorate, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London, 2012
- Honorary Doctor of Laws, Law Society of Upper Canada, 2012
Books Written by Shirin Ebadi
- Iran Awakening: One Woman's Journey to Reclaim Her Life and Country (2007)
- Refugee Rights in Iran (2008)
- The Golden Cage: Three brothers, Three choices, One destiny (2011)
- Until We Are Free (2016)
Images for kids
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Shirin Ebadi's signature
See also
In Spanish: Shirin Ebadi para niños
- Iranian women
- List of famous Persian women
- List of peace activists
- Iranian women's rights activists
- Iranian Nobel laureates
- Women Nobel laureates
- Iranian women lawyers
- Iranian women judges
