Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Shirin Ebadi is the 2006 recipient of the Stefan A. Riesenfeld Award. Ebadi, a human rights activist, delivered a lecture “Iran Awakening: Human Rights, Islam and the West” at UC Berkeley on May 10.
Given annually to an international legal scholar or practitioner who has made an outstanding contribution in the field, the Riesenfeld Award honors the memory and scholarship of Stefan A. Riesenfeld ’37, a renowned legal expert and longtime Boalt professor of law.
In 2003, Ebadi became the first Muslim woman and the first Iranian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of her work promoting human rights. She has led efforts to rewrite Iranian laws discriminating against women, to protect street children and to free political prisoners. A lawyer, judge, lecturer, writer and activist, Ebadi has worked doggedly to advance democratic principles and values in Iran and around the world.
David Caron ’83, the C. William Maxeiner Distinguished Professor of Law, praised Ebadi for her inspirational contributions “to the progressive development and realization of fundamental human rights that also mirror the values of Boalt Hall’s legendary figures —Stefan Riesenfeld and Frank Newman ’41 —its alumni, and the current faculty, staff and students that make up Boalt Hall.” Caron received the Riesenfeld Award in 2000. Associate Dean Richard Buxbaum ’53 (LL.M.), the 2004 Riesenfeld recipient, presented Ebadi with the award.