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Thursday, March 04, 2004
EP Committee Hears Nobel Peace Prize Winner Shirin Ebadi
March 04, 2004
European Parliament
European Union Press Releases
Shirin Ebadi, the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner, was the guest on Wednesday of a joint meeting of Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Women's Rights Committees. MEPs greeted her with a thunderous round of applause, after which Ms Ebadi gave a speech setting out her views on the role of Islam in democracy, the situation of women in Iran and the parliamentary elections of 20 February, which are expected to result in a big victory for conservatives.
"It is unfortunate that a large number of candidates were declared ineligible", she said. "By signing up to the Charter of Human Rights, the Islamic Republic of Iran had stated its intention of abiding by its obligations. Any signatory country undertakes to respect individual rights through participation in free elections", she added. Several MEPs voiced disappointment at this setback to democratisation in Iran. One of them was Michael Gahler (EPP-ED, D), who asked "How can the European Parliament pursue dialogue effectively while also supporting reform?". Bob van den Bos (ELDR, NL) maintained that the Council of Guardians of the Revolution was responsible for manipulating the elections. "How can we continue talks with people who are utterly manipulated by the regime?" he asked Ms Ebadi.
"When Mr Khatami was elected, the flower of democracy flourished. It is perhaps our fault that we did not cherish that flower", she told MEPs. She then urged the European Parliament to adopt a report on Iran "provided you monitor events and provide for sanctions" if Iran fails to implement any commitments it gives. She also stressed that negotiations, rather than boycotts or embargoes, were the best way for Europe to help democratisation in Iran. "But negotiations must have a purpose and not be simply limited to maintaining dialogue".
Turning to the relationship between Islam and human rights, Shirin Ebadi set out her position straight away: "Islam is a religion which protects women's rights", she said, explaining that it was "patriarchal culture" that lay at the root of many social problems. "This tribal culture does not believe in equality between human beings", she argued. "Women are the victims but they are also the vehicles of this culture. Every violent man was brought up by a woman. They are therefore also responsible for transmitting this pernicious disease", she said. "I see only one solution: education".
The Nobel Prize winner told MEPs that progress had been made on women's and children's rights, although sex discrimination still existed under Iranian law. The law on child custody following a divorce had been amended last month, both to protect more strongly the right of women to look after their children and also to take account of children's emotional needs. "To improve their lot, Iranian women must take further action", she said. But she also warned against easy optimism, since laws banning torture and discrimination against women, which had been approved by the Iranian parliamentary assembly, had then been rejected by the Council of Guardians of the Revolution. According to Mrs Ebadi, "The attitude of this Council is worrying".
Edward Mcmillan-Scott, (EPP-ED, UK) wondered whether Iranian women's organisations would accept EU funding to promote democracy. "This is the only funding that does not require consent of the host government when it is spent", he pointed out. Shirin Ebadi replied "Don't give us financial help because we'll be accused of being spies! We need your spiritual aid but not your financial help".
25.02.2004 Committee on Foreign Affairs, Human Rights, Common Security and Defence Policy
In the chair: Elmar BROK (EPP-ED, D)
Press enquiries:
Joelle Fiss - tel. (32-2) 28 41075 - e-mail: foreign-press@europarl.eu.int
Katarzyna Prandota - tel. (32-2) 28 31051 - e-mail: femm-press@europarl.eu.int
link to original article
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