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Contrary to what certain governments say, human rights are universal. Arbitrary detention, torture and discrimination hurt the human dignity of anybody, whatever his or her country of origin, religion, descent, or any other ground.

Shirin Ebadi

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Shirin Ebadi
Age: 77
Born: 1947
Born: June 21
Feminist
Human Rights Activist
Judge
Lawyer
Peace Activist
Politician
Writer
Hamedan
Cyrine Abadi
Government
Ground
Descent
Human
Universal
Arbitrary
Humans
Anybody
Origin
Country
Hurt
Discrimination
Rights
Governments
Whatever
Torture
Religion
Contrary
Certain
Dignity
Detention

More quotes by Shirin Ebadi

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Over 60 percent of the university students in Iran are female. The women in Iran are better educated than men.
Shirin Ebadi
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I have said many times that I wish there was no oil in the Middle East, and more water. People would have been much happier than they are right now.
Shirin Ebadi
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Unfortunately the situation of human rights in Iran isn't improving. Some of the newspapers were shut down and the government didn't try to reopen the newspapers that were shut down before. And the laws are as bad as before.
Shirin Ebadi
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We demand a non-violent world where human security is the basis of our common global security. People have the right to live in a world where the basic needs of all peoples are addressed. No more military attacks. No more war.
Shirin Ebadi
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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
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Democracy is not an incident that happens overnight, nor a gift that America can give to the world. It is a culture which needs peace to evolve.
Shirin Ebadi
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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
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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 commands great respect.
Shirin Ebadi
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Iran is a rich country, and if the people of this country are poor, it's because of the wrong policies of the government.
Shirin Ebadi
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North Americans do not understand that you do not throw down human rights like bombs on the Iraqis.
Shirin Ebadi
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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 issue or the nuclear case is democracy in Iran.
Shirin Ebadi
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I have never been convinced throughout my life that one needs to be imitating others. I even tell my daughters not to look at me as a model.
Shirin Ebadi
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democracy ... is not something that occurs overnight. It is not a gift delivered on a golden tray. Democracy is a long process of fighting, challenging accepted ideas, and perpetually striving for freedom. Like a seed that has to be watered every day to become a flower, democracy needs constant attention and care.
Shirin Ebadi
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Europe clearly is the only place where people can speak up critically, and this is a unique cultural value.
Shirin Ebadi
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Because of our youthful population, we suffer from unemployment in Iran. We need more universities and more job opportunities for the young.
Shirin Ebadi
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The Iranian government intends to use the nuclear program for peaceful purposes, but must convince international public opinion of that.
Shirin Ebadi
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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
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Sixty-three percent of our university students are female. But you still see violations of women's rights in Iran. A Muslim man can have up to four wives. He can divorce his wife without offering any reason, while it is quite difficult for a woman to get a divorce.
Shirin Ebadi
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The role of Iran has been very destructive. As an Iranian, I apologize to the civilian people of Syria who have been killed as a result of the useless intervention of Iran in Syria.
Shirin Ebadi
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If you can't eliminate injustice, at least tell everyone about it.
Shirin Ebadi