The idea of cultural relativism is nothing but an excuse to violate human rights.
Shirin EbadiRead
Democracy doesn't recognize east or west; democracy is simply people's will. Therefore, I do not acknowledge that there are various models of democracy; there is just democracy itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Democracy is a universal concept that reflects the will of the people, free from geographical or cultural divisions.
In this quote, Shirin Ebadi emphasizes that democracy is not confined to specific regions or cultures; rather, it is a fundamental principle that embodies the collective will of the people. By rejecting the idea of varying models of democracy, she advocates for a singular understanding of democracy as a universal right, highlighting its importance in the pursuit of equality and representation.
Themes
DemocracyPeople'S WillUniversalPrincipleEquality
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about governance, one might quote Ebadi's view on democracy to emphasize that it transcends cultural boundaries.
More from Shirin Ebadi
All quotes →When you vote, vote for those who are not warmongers, and vote for those who respect human rights. When you see a president who doesn't respect human rights, don't vote for that person.
Shirin EbadiRead
In my memoir, I wanted to introduce American women to Iranian women and our lives. I'm not from the highest echelons of society, nor the lowest. I'm a woman who is a lawyer, who is a professor at a university, who won the Nobel Peace Prize. At the same time, I cook. And even when I'm about to go to prison, one of the first things I do is to make enough food and put it in the fridge for my family.
Shirin EbadiRead
My aim is to show that those governments that violate the rights of people by invoking the name of Islam have been misusing Islam.
Shirin EbadiRead
No government can make me wear a veil, no government can force me not to wear it either
Shirin EbadiRead
We demand a non-violent world where human security is the basis of our common global security. People have the right to live in a world where the basic needs of all peoples are addressed. No more military attacks. No more war.
Shirin EbadiRead
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