Ms. Shirin Ebadi Arrives in Iran - 2003-10-14

According to reports that have just reached us from Iran, Ms. Shirin Ebadi, a defender of women's, children's, and human rights, and the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003, arrived in the country from Terminal 2, the international flights hall. A large number of Iranians who went to the airport to welcome her greeted her with enthusiastic and fervent freedom-seeking slogans. Thanks to one of the supporters of Voice of America who called from Mehrabad Airport and held the phone towards the voices of the welcoming crowd, the slogans heard included: 'Political prisoners must be freed; the killers of Zahra Kazemi must be executed; welcome to Iran, Lady of Peace of Iran.' Additionally, the sound of a collective singing of the anthem 'Ey Iran' was heard, and the demonstrators were very joyful. Shirin Ebadi, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, returned to Tehran amidst the welcome of thousands of her supporters. Ms. Ebadi addressed the crowd that filled Mehrabad International Airport, stating that she shares her prize with all those who strive to institutionalize human rights and democracy in Iran. Ms. Ebadi also called for the release of political prisoners in Iran. Many women, in a sign of their eagerness for peaceful and calm change in Iran, wore white scarves. Earlier, Mohammad Khatami, the President of the Islamic Republic, expressed his happiness that an Iranian had won the Nobel Prize, but asked Ms. Ebadi to use her award for the benefit of Islam and Iran. Khatami, speaking to reporters at the Islamic Consultative Assembly, warned Ms. Ebadi not to let her newly acquired position be exploited. The President also criticized the Nobel Committee, stating that there are political motives behind the awarding of the Peace Prize. He said the Peace Prize is not as significant as the Nobel Prizes for literary and scientific achievements.