 TEHERAN - Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi said she had asked the United Nations to investigate the status of women in Iran and accused Iranian authorities of detaining activists demanding more womenÂ’s rights. Ebadi, speaking at a press conference on Monday marking the first anniversary of a campaign to gather 1 million signatures in favour of womenÂ’s rights in the Islamic state, said she had contacted top UN human rights official Louise Arbour.
| Yeah, sic Louise on it. Louise is always concerned about violations of human rights -- in the United States. I don't think Iran is on her map. |
She said about 50 activists had been detained over the last 14 months for involvement in women’s rights protests and some of them faced charges of acting against national security. She did not say how many -- if any -- were still being held. ‘Unfortunately, about 50 people involved in gatherings demanding equality ... had cases (against them) and were in prison for a while and some of them are waiting for their verdicts now,’ Ebadi said.
| Sucks to live in an Islamic dictatorship, huh. |
The Islamic Republic rejects allegations it discriminates against women, saying it follows sharia law.
| Like Ebadi was just saying ... |
Teheran usually laughs off reacts dismissively toward criticism from any foreign organisations, including the United Nations.
‘I have written a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and complained for the first time, and said this is the situation of women rights in Iran and these are our demands,’ Ebadi said. ‘Please send a special rapporteur to Iran to report on women, to investigate the conditions for women,’ she said, describing her message to Arbour.
| Send the special rapper, that'll do it. |
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