by: Akram Alinia
Thursday 29 September 2016, during a ceremony in Paris, Shirin Ebadi’s new book named “Until We Are Free” was introduced while she was attending in ceremony. She is the lawyer and winner of noble prize. During the introducing ceremony, Roji Kurd has done an interview with her:
Roji curd: Mrs. Ebadi! First of all thank you for accepting the interview. Then please tell us about your newly published book “Until We Are Free”.
Ebadi: This book contains political and social events from 2003 to 2005, which is expressed through the story of my life. In this book, the Iranian government’s treatment to the citizens can be seen. I also have mentioned some Examples of cases that I have worked for them as a lawyer. Furthermore, I have described my own story.
Through reading this book you can understand that I am not a political leader, or a political rival. I have just done activities related to human rights. On the other hand, I am the winner of Noble Prize. Although Iranian government knows that I have access to international Medias easily, it has behaved so badly to me. Now imagine that when young journalists and university students are arrested how they are behaved by authorities? It shows the real identity of Iranian Government.
Roji Kurd: Do you think that by considering the reform era and also Khatami’s activities, we can say that no reforms have happened in Iran? And with the presidency of Hassan Rouhani, Is there any hope for real reform in Iran?
Ebadi: First, Mr. Rohani is not reformer; he does not claim to be reformer too. You should notice that Mr. Khatami was Iran’s representative of reform, and he was President for 8 years. And during these 8 years, the majority of the sixth Consultative Assembly members were reformist for four years. In other words, over a period of 4 years, the Legislature and the Executive Branch were in the hands of the reformers. But what has happened except exchanging Khatami and Ahmadinejad?
Roji Kurd: At the end of 8 years, Khatami said: “I was just a servant”.
Ebadi: It is absolutely right. Because according to the constitution, all powers are in the hands of RAHBAR. President provides very little authority. Consequently, the name of presidents makes no difference; Khatami, Ahmadinejad, Rohani, or anyone else.
Roji Kurd: So you believe that because of the system of absolute Velayate Faghih, that introduces himself as the representative of God on earth, there can be no reforms in Islamic republic in Iran, especially in the field of human rights?
Ebadi: The first condition is to reform the constitution. I mean reform should be started from the constitution. And then, at the same time we should not forget that this constitution is full of conflicting and faulty. However, they do not run even this faulty constitution. For example, about the cultural rights of ethnic minorities, according to the constitution, they must respect their native language and culture. Their culture and language must be taught at school. But, they really do it?
No, they do not. As a result, the problem is that the constitution has fundamental problems. However its positive laws are not run.
Roji Kurd: As you mentioned, you access the media unlimitedly and easily. Have you ever done any activity related to Kurdish political prisoners, Kurdish journalists, and human rights activists? The number of Kurdish prisoner in Iran is more than others. Have you ever used your media opportunity for them?
Ebadi: I have worked in this area more than Kurdish people. You can ask Mr. Kabudvand about our intimate partnership and unfortunately he was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Ask His family when I was in Iran, how I did my duty of human rights. When a mass execution has happened after Farzad Kamangar’s death, MZ. Narges Mohammadi published the news. Now remember her pictures in the prison! She was prisoned because the government accused her helping hung men who were members of ISIS. However, I was not in Iran then, but my deputy; Ms. Narges Mohammadi, stood up and defended bravely as much as she could. I have done many correspondences and interviews for Farzad Kamangir. I tried to do my best. But if you think that just a person o party can solve the problem of a country, it is wrong. I feel proud in this field and I have done my duties even better than some Iranian Kurdish people.
Roji Kurd: As you know, in kurdish part of Iran there are two usual civil and political-military struggle. For example, on the anniversary of the assassination of Doctor Ghassemlou, most of shops are closed. Recently, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, under the name “RASAN”, in Iran has started armed conflict or it is better to say armed presence. What is your opinion about these two forms of struggle in Kurdistan of Iran and the whole part of Iran?
Ebadi: Generally speaking I believe that civil and peaceful struggle are more effective. In fact, armed struggle makes the excuse for the government to suppress the people more.
It should be mentioned that Arshypl Publication and also Reporters Without Borders had arranged the ceremony.
Reporters Without Borders also wrote on his official website that: Shirin Ebadi, along with presence in Paris on the occasion of the publication of his new book “Until We Are Free”, has supported the Reporters Without Borders. They are trying to help the release of Narges Mohammadi and all imprisoned journalists.
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