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

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

Human rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every civilization.
Shirin Ebadi

I hope the example of Saddam Hussein will give a lesson to leaders of other countries where human rights are not respected.
Shirin Ebadi

I maintain that nothing useful and lasting can emerge from violence.
Shirin Ebadi

Lawyers have a dangerous job in Iran.
Shirin Ebadi

Lawyers should not be charged with the same crimes as their clients. Trials related to political charges are not in accordance with human rights.
Shirin Ebadi

My aim is to show that those governments that violate the rights of people by invoking the name of Islam have been misusing Islam.
Shirin Ebadi

No American soldier should be allowed to set foot on Iranian soil, regardless of the criticism we have of the Iranian government.
Shirin Ebadi

Sadly the job security of lawyers has been ruined, so they are less willing to defend political defendants.
Shirin Ebadi


The condition of women in Islamic societies as a whole is also far from desirable. However, we should acknowledge that there are differences. In certain countries, the conditions are much better and in others much worse.
Shirin Ebadi

The idea of cultural relativism is nothing but an excuse to violate human rights.
Shirin Ebadi

The Iranian government intends to use the nuclear program for peaceful purposes, but must convince international public opinion of that.
Shirin Ebadi

We must not enable anyone to impose his personal view regarding religion on others by force, oppression, or pressure.
Shirin Ebadi

What is important is that one utilizes one's intellect and not to be 100 percent sure about one's convictions. One should always leave room for doubt.
Shirin Ebadi

When a person is humiliated, when his rights are being violated, and he does not have the proper education, naturally he gravitates toward terrorism.
Shirin Ebadi

When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp. The funny thing is that human rights activists and Mr. Bush can never be situated in the same group.
Shirin Ebadi

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