Iranian lawyer-activist Shirin Ebadi named winner of Korea's peace prize

by Kim Eun-jung

SEOUL, Aug 5. (Yonhap) -- Iranian Nobel Prize laureate and human rights advocate Shirin Ebadi was named the winner of South Korea's Manhae Grand Prize for Peace, the award's foundation said Wednesday.

The award is given to commemorate Buddhist monk and poet Hang Yong-woon
(1879-1944). Among the former winners are Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama
in 2005 and former South African President Nelson Mandela in 2004.
Ebadi, 62, received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her efforts to improve
democracy and human rights, especially for women, children, and refugees. She was
the first Iranian awarded the revered prize.
She will make a six-day trip to South Korea from Saturday and participate in the
award ceremony on Aug. 12.
"It's my greatest honor to win the Manhae Prize," said Ebadi in a letter sent to
the Manhae Foundation. "Iran and people of Iran will realize that the world is
not disinterested in the human rights situation of the country."
Comparing the ongoing nuclear disputes with both North Korea and Iran, the Nobel
laureate praised South Korea's efforts to resolve the conflict through peaceful
means.
"The international community is facing the North Korean regime in a way that can
reduce risks without clashes or violence," she said. "South Korea's roles in
peace talks with North Korea deserves particular praise."
Ebadi was forced to resign as her country's first female judge after leading an
anti-corruption campaign in the 1970s and engaged in human rights activities
under continued threats to her life.
"I hope my organization will be able to open its office again thanks to the
Manhae Prize," Ebadi said, referring to the Human Rights Defenders Center, which
was shut down by Iranian police in 2008.