A reader of mine sent this to me.
This really irks me that the conservatives are all praising Ebadi, including Bush, while it is only the liberals and socialist groups who are coming out against her.
How long before the right become the left and the left becomes the right?
http://www.wpibriefing.com/120%20Open%20Letter.htmOpen letter to Noble Peace Committee
12/10/2003
Dear Committee members,
We the undersigned, hereby, demonstrate our protest to the explanation given by the Noble Peace
Committee regarding awarding this year's Noble Peace Prize.
In its statement, the Committee has explained that the Peace prize is awarded to Mrs Shirin Ebadi
as "a woman who is part of the Moslem world." Thus identifying the people of Iran and millions of
men and women in all the Islamic stricken countries to this "world". The only connection of the
people in Iran has been the life of brutality and suppression imposed on them by Islamic laws. The
only aspect of Islam that people identify themselves with is to fight against it.
The statement further explains that the prize is awarded to Mrs Ebadi because "Ebadi is a conscious
Moslem. She sees no conflict between Islam and fundamental human rights." Presumably, the
Committee believes this description would initiate delight and joy to people of Iran! The fact of the
matter is that people of Iran see the Islamic Republic with all its laws and regulations as the cause
of the hardship, poverty, destitution, women's suppression and the brutal state of children's rights.
We the undersigned would like to express our indignation to such explanations and implications.
We together with the people of Iran, see the law of hijab (Islamic veil) as violation of our most
basic rights. We see how Islam is enforcing sexual apartheid in the society, we see how Islamic law
on marriage perpetuates rape of children, we see how Islamic law of eye for an eye and stoning is
ruining the lives of millions of people in Iran... The list is endless. We regard the whole philosophy
of Islamic government in violation of human and civil rights. Contrary to your explanation, there is
a whole world of contradiction between political Islam and human rights. There is no common
ground between women's and children's rights and Islam. Your statement not only refuses to
address these issues, but by endorsing, it paves the way to consolidating the very cause of violation
of human rights in Iran.
People in Iran, especially women, are paying the price of such international praises, by being
denied their rights under Islamic laws. They are struggling for equality and a secular state. Twenty-
four years of torture, execution, sexual apartheid, child poverty, and the demands for freedom and a
secular state through the daily struggle of people in Iran are proof enough that there is every
contradiction between Islam and basic human rights.
We regard the statement by the Noble Peace Prize Committee against the interests of women,
children and the people of Iran, and hence condemn it.
Copy to: Mrs Shirin Ebadi
Women's and Children's Organisations
Political Parties and organisations
Mass Media
Signatures
(There are 177 signatures)
