Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi addresses human rights in Iran

Today at the Carnegie Endowment, renowned human rights leader Shirin Ebadi spoke of the growing problem laws in Iran violating human rights. She pointed out the differences that arise between what the laws enforce and the facts of Iranian society. For example, according to Iranian law a woman's life is valued as one-half of a man; however sixty-five percent of university students are women.

Ebadi has faced many challenges as a human rights leader in Iran. Her organization, the Center for Defense of Human Rights was closed this month by the government. However, her dedication has not wavered, and the activity of the organization continues. "The defenders of human rights in Iran face danger all the time," she stated.

Ebadi called for a dialogue between civil societies in the U.S. and Iran, stressing the importance of this dialogue not only occurring on the governmental level. "I don't think that there are differences that cannot be resolved. I think what exists is just a misunderstanding," she explained.