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Nobel Laureate: No Positive Change in Iran So Long as Constitution Hasn’t Changed

Shirin Ebadi criticizes EU diplomat for attending Raisi’s inauguration

Shirin Ebadi. (AFP)
Shirin Ebadi. (AFP)
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Nobel Laureate: No Positive Change in Iran So Long as Constitution Hasn’t Changed

Shirin Ebadi. (AFP)
Shirin Ebadi. (AFP)

Shirin Ebadi, Iranian lawyer and winner of the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize, has criticized Enrique Mora, a deputy to European foreign policy chief Josep Borrell for taking part in the inauguration ceremony of the country’s incoming President Ebrahim Raisi. Accusing the EU of having a “double standard” towards Iran, Ebadi said Iran’s realities should be expressed for Europeans to be ashamed of having such representatives.

Speaking to Independent Persian’s Editor-in-Chief Camelia Entekhabifard, Ebadi said: “The European Union is sending a representative to the inauguration ceremony of Ebrahim Raisi, one of the primary figures responsible for murders of the 1980s… This shows EU’s approach and its double standard; we should do something for the European people to be ashamed of having such representatives. This can be done by expressing the truth about Iran.”

When asked what future she sees for Iran and the Iranian people, Ebadi remarked: “Whoever would have become president in lieu of Mr. Raisi, who is responsible for the 1988 massacre, the situation would be bad. Why? Because my problem isn’t with Khamenei or Raisi as individuals but Iran’s political structure. This structure is based on a constitution; so long as we have the current constitution, nobody could bring Iran out of these dire conditions.”

“The constitution, for instance, defines the Shiite faith as the official religion,” she added. “And it’s the same constitution that says all laws should be based on Islamic principles. These are decided by the six clerics of the Guardian Council who are appointed by one person, meaning the Supreme Leader. Thus, one person’s opinions are how ‘Islamic principles’ are decided.”

According to Ebadi, this constitution and political structure has no room for people and “the Iranian people will never see happiness” with these in place. “If we give all authority to one person, what happens to the people?” she asked.

“Even whoever is elected in these flawed elections (which aren’t realty elections since the candidates are first vetted by the Supreme Leader’s representatives in the Guardian Council) has to still be approved by the Supreme Leader,” Ebadi said.

“Now Mr. Raisi has become president in the farce elections only after he was appointed by [Ali] Khamenei. In other words, Khamenei could have decided not to approve him. Now tell me: where is the place of people here? Raisi is known as a butcher. But even if a very good person was elected, what could he do?”

Speaking of the late 1990s, Ebadi said: “Remember the era of reformists! Mr. Khatami, supposedly the spiritual father of reformists, was president for eight years. For six years of this period, reformists had majority in the parliament. Was that government of the reformist era able to do anything? Could it stop the catastrophe we are now living in?”

“This is why it’s not the question of this or that individual for me,” Ebadi concluded. “Don’t tell me about individuals. Talk to me about laws and the constitution. That’s where the problems lie. So long as the constitution has not changed, no positive change can come to Iran.”

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.