Europe clearly is the only place where people can speak up critically, and this is a unique cultural value.
Shirin EbadiHuman rights is a universal standard. It is a component of every religion and every civilization.
Shirin EbadiThe people of Iran have been battling against consecutive conflicts between tradition and modernity for over 100 years... some have tried and are trying to see the world through the eyes of their predecessors and to deal with the problems and difficulties of the existing world by virtue of the values of the ancients... many others...seek to go forth in step with world developments and not lag behind the caravan of civilization, development and progress.
Shirin EbadiWhenever women protest and ask for their rights, they are silenced with the argument that the laws are justified under Islam. It is an unfounded argument. It is not Islam at fault, but rather the patriarchal culture that uses its own interpretations to justify whatever it wants.
Shirin Ebadi