Born: 1947 (Hamadan, Iran)
Biography:
Shirin Ebadi, born on June 21, 1947, in Hamadan, Iran, is an Iranian Nobel laureate, lawyer, former judge, and founder of the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. Her father, Mohammad Ali Ebadi, was a prominent figure in the city of Hamadan, serving as its chief notary public and a professor of commercial law. In 1948, her family relocated to Tehran, where Ebadi spent most of her early years.
Ebadi’s passion for justice and human rights led her to pursue a career in law. She enrolled in the law department of the University of Tehran in 1965 and graduated in 1969, successfully passing the qualification exams to become a judge. Afterward, she underwent a rigorous six-month internship and officially became a judge in March 1969.
Continuing her studies, Ebadi pursued a doctorate in law at the University of Tehran, where she had the privilege of being mentored by esteemed professor Mahmoud Shehabi Khorassani. Her dedication and expertise caught the attention of her colleagues, and in 1975, she became the first woman president of the Tehran city court, a prestigious position she held until the Iranian revolution in 1979.
Throughout her career, Ebadi faced challenges and setbacks due to the prevailing gender bias in Iran. Her applications to practice law were repeatedly rejected, forcing her to wait until 1993 to finally gain her license. However, even during this time, she utilized her knowledge and passion for justice by writing articles and books for Iranian periodicals. Ebadi’s determination to advocate for justice and human rights only grew stronger during these years.
By 2004, Ebadi found herself lecturing law at the University of Tehran while actively practicing law in Iran. She became a renowned campaigner for strengthening the legal status of children and women, playing a pivotal role in the reformist Mohammad Khatami’s landslide presidential election in May 1997. Known for her pro bono work, she fearlessly championed the cases of dissident figures who had fallen victim to the judiciary’s oppressive tactics.
One notable case Ebadi took on was the representation of the family of Dariush Forouhar, a dissident intellectual and politician who was brutally murdered alongside his wife, Parvaneh Eskandari. These murders were part of a series of gruesome killings that targeted Iran’s intellectual community, with suspicion falling on extremist hard-liners attempting to suppress the liberal climate encouraged by President Khatami.
Ebadi also stood as legal counsel for the family of Ezzat Ebrahim-Nejad, who tragically lost his life during the Iranian student protests in July 1999. Her unwavering commitment to justice and human rights, even in the face of adversity, has become a defining characteristic of her storied career.
In 2003, Ebadi’s relentless efforts were internationally recognized when she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She became the first Muslim woman to win the prestigious accolade, receiving it for her pioneering endeavors in advancing democracy and fighting for the rights of women, children, and refugees.
After facing increasing threats and harassment in Iran, Ebadi was forced into exile in 2009 and has been residing in London ever since. Despite the distance, she continues to be an influential voice advocating for human rights in her home country and around the world.