Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Peace Laureate, human rights activist and founder, Centre for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran, and co-founder, Nobel Women's Initiative

In conversation with:

Vishakha N. Desai, President, Asia Society

30 years after the Islamic Revolution, the Iranian regime remains unable to reconcile its religious and ethical ideals and national aspirations with widely accepted international norms of human rights and the rule of law. For more than 35 years, Shirin Ebadi has worked as a lawyer and activist within Iran and around the world to support these norms, with particular concern for the rights of women, children, refugees, and political prisoners, as well as issues relating to free expression. She has consistently maintained that democracy and human rights are reconcilable with Islam and that "change in Iran must come peacefully and from within." In 2003 she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.

Beginning in late 2008, Iranian authorities began legal measures and harassment against Dr. Ebadi, and since the contested Iranian presidential election last summer, she has remained abroad while continuing to criticize the regime for systematic abuses of human rights. She has also criticized Western governments for failure to take firmer action against Iran on human rights while placing undue emphasis on nuclear issues. Please join Dr. Shirin Ebadi for a discussion of current conditions in Iran, the prospects for change, and what other governments and peoples ought to do in response.

Please note: this event will also be a free live video webcast on AsiaSociety.org from 6:30 to 8:00 pm EST. Online viewers are encouraged to submit their questions to [email protected].

Policy programs at the Asia Society are generously supported by the Nicholas Platt Endowment for Public Policy.

Related links:
Shirin Ebadi's 2004 speech at the Asia Society
AsiaSociety.org 2004 interview with Shirin Ebadi