Congratulations from 179 Iranian Parliament Members to Shirin Ebadi - 2003-10-16

While many conservative platforms in Iran are politically criticizing and even severely insulting Shirin Ebadi for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize, 179 reformist members of Parliament have signed a letter congratulating her on this global achievement. The members stated in the letter: 'Today, efforts for peace and friendship among nations, the promotion of human values, and respect for human rights have become an unstoppable movement worldwide. Our country has also witnessed tireless efforts for the realization of public and private freedoms for decades.' The signatories further noted: 'Ms. Shirin Ebadi, a Muslim woman, judge, and lawyer, has defended the rights of people, especially women and children, and has taken steps towards human rights. She is among the responsible and empathetic individuals who, believing in the non-conflict between Islam and human rights goals, has engaged in diligent and effective activities for the realization of these goals over the past three decades.' It is interesting to note that this letter has been published while many hardline newspapers in Tehran are trying to portray Ms. Ebadi as completely anti-Islam and irreligious among the public. For example, the newspapers Kayhan and Jomhouri Islami have recently described her as an uneducated woman and a tool of foreigners. Additionally, the weekly Yalasarat, the organ of Ansar Hezbollah, has gone so far as to label Shirin Ebadi a Zionist in its current issue. These publications consider her appearance without a headscarf at the Nobel Prize ceremony as a basis for their accusations. The parliament members concluded their letter by stating: 'We congratulate and commend her selection as the Nobel Peace Prize winner and as a prominent individual who has worked hard for the expansion and deepening of peace, democracy, and the promotion of human rights standards to all those who strive to realize human values, especially to the women’s community.'