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Rights & Democracy salutes Shirin Ebadi, winner of the

News Release

Montreal - October 10, 2003 - Today's announcement of Shirin Ebadi as winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize is an important step forward in the global struggle against extremism in all its forms, says Rights & Democracy.

Since being forced to resign her position as a judge after Iran's Islamic Revolution in 1979, Ms. Ebadi has remained a tireless advocate of human rights in the Muslim world, specifically those of women and children. Persecution by Iran's fundamentalist government has not silenced Ms. Ebadi, who now teaches law at the University of Tehran.

"Shirin Ebadi's courageous, non-violent struggle for democratic values reminds us of the serious challenges facing human rights defenders in Iran," said Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy. "Her refusal to see anything but peace and compassion in the teachings of Islam is a credit to her faith and reminds us that human rights are fundamental to all societies."

Rights & Democracy is a non-partisan, independent Canadian institution created by an Act of Parliament in 1988 to promote, advocate and defend the democratic and human rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights. In cooperation with civil society and governments in Canada and abroad, Rights & Democracy initiates and supports programmes to strengthen laws and democratic institutions, principally in developing countries.

For More Information

Please contact Steve Smith (ext 255) or Louis Moubarak (ext 261) at Rights & Democracy, 514-283-6073.