Nuclear Crisis Resolution Tied to Human Rights

Babak Mehdizadeh, Rooz Online: Shirin Ebadi

When I called Shirin Ebadi, Iran’s Nobel Peace prize winner in 2004, and introduced myself to be from Rooz web blog, I felt she responded quicker that even I expected. She was very calm during the interview and spoke gently of the current government and the reformers. When I asked her what she thought of Mohammad Khatami’s comments when she won the Nobel Prize …. . Here are the excerpts. READ MORE

R: How do you analyze the current international pressure on Iran?
Shirin Ebadi (SE): In order to neutralize this pressure, the government should adopt domestic and international policies that are in harmony with well-recognized international standards. A country that attracts people’s trust nationally and internationally and is able to prove to the world that it has no plans to attack other countries will be better received by the international community. The increasing number of political prisoners, public hangings of high-profile cases, especially of under-age, are issues that lead to an increase in international pressure on Iran. The release of the political prisoners can be a positive step by the government because it can show to the world that the system is capable of meeting international yardsticks in human rights issues.

R: Do you think Iran’s political prisoners may soon be released?
SE: A while ago, the head of Iran’s Judiciary talked about acquitting imprisoned students. That has not come true so far. I hope it takes place soon. I consider this as a positive sign. Twelve or thirteen years ago officials used to deny the very existence of political prisoners in Iran. Every critic was considered a counter-revolutionary. While I wish we had no political prisoners in Iran, the acknowledgment is a step forward by itself. The head of Iran’s judiciary should use his legal authority to free these prisoners.

R: What do you think about Ahmadinejad’s recent comments against Israel and how does it intensify the international pressure specially in regard to Iran’s nuclear program?
SE: Politicians should basically be ultra-cautious in choosing their words and consider the sensitive situation Iran is currently facing. I believe what Ahmadinejad said is merely a repetition of what ayatollah Khomeini had said, but still he should have carefully chewed his words. Unfortunately, different governments especially those in Israel have used Ahmadinejad’s comments to condemn Iran. When Iran is facing accusations of building nuclear bombs, calling for the removal of Israel from the face of the earth will definitely have consequences.

R: How do you see the future of Iran’s nuclear case?
SE: Neither the U.S. nor Israel can use force against us. Just as Iran cannot use force against any country. Human rights violations are the main cause of the world’s distrust of Iran. Iran’s nuclear crisis would have been resolved a long time ago if there was no such systematic and widespread violation of these rights in the country. Iran would not face such international distrust if it took positive steps towards democracy and observed human rights standards. Without democracy in Iran people cannot oversee the work and performance of their government. I have not noticed any improvement in Iran’s human rights situation since Ahmadinejad has come to power.

R: What do you propose to the reformists that seem to be at odds with their current situation?
SE: Reformists should reconstruct their political organizations, review past mistakes and remove them. One failure is not a lifelong issue. One can achieve victory if he learns lessons from mistakes. They can resolve their differences in a short time, if they really try to. Unfortunately some have made the same blunders that the fundamentalists had made. Mr. Khatami was the best president that Iran ever had after the 1979 revolution but the hardline Guardian Council obstructed his reform plans.

R: What is your view of the call for “A Front for Democracy”?
SE: There is a strong will and demand for democracy and human rights among Iranian people. Democracy is a culture and exists in the hearts of Iranians. The Iranian Constitution needs to be reformed. I do not belong to a specific group or front. My prize belongs to the Iranian nation and I fight for human rights and democracy for all Iranians.

Shirin Ebadi is an attorney and human rights activist who won the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for her work in human rights and especially on the struggle for the rights of women and children. She was the first ever woman judge in Iran. Today, she is an outspoken reformer and regular contributor to Rooz.