Iranian rights activist wins Nobel prize

IRANIAN writer Shirin Ebadi, a female human rights and democracy activist, was awarded the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize yesterday.

The Nobel committee in Oslo said the accolade was for her focus on human rights, especially on the struggle for the rights of women and children.

“As a lawyer, judge, lecturer, writer and activist, she has spoken out clearly and strongly in her country, Iran and far beyond its borders,” the committee said.