Nobel Winner Calls for Legal Equality for All in Iran
VOA News

The Iranian woman who won this year's Nobel Peace Prize says the Islamic Republic must grant legal equality to women and religious minorities.
During a news conference in Tehran, Shirin Ebadi also said she believes the Iranian constitution already gives women the right to run for president of Iran. That interpretation is contested by conservatives in the Islamic republic.

Ms. Ebadi was speaking at a news conference before she travels to Norway for the presentation of the Nobel Prize next week.

She said once again that she does not intend to begin a political career herself, although she believes more women should run for office and seek a greater share of power in Iran.

She also repeated her call for the release of political prisoners in Iran.

Ms. Ebadi is a lawyer and former judge who has been a champion of human rights in Iran, particularly for women and children. She told reporters Tuesday the Nobel Prize gave her courage and showed she was on the right track.