I want to take my American friends back to the end of World War II, when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was formulated. A group of thinkers met to come up with ways and means to prevent yet another war. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt played a crucial role in assembling this group of people. And that is why the name of the United States is synonymous with the cause of human rights around the world.
Shirin EbadiI know of no civilization that tolerates or justifies violence, terrorism, or injustice. There is no civilization that justifies the killing of innocent people. Those who are invoking cultural relativism are really using that as an excuse for violating human rights and to put a cultural mask on the face of what they're doing.
Shirin EbadiSadly the job security of lawyers has been ruined, so they are less willing to defend political defendants.
Shirin EbadiNo government can make me wear a veil, no government can force me not to wear it either
Shirin EbadiI 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