IRAN. EBADI'S RIGHTS GROUP BANNED

Iran's hard-line government banned a rights group led by Nobel Peace laureate Shirin Ebadi, saying her Center for Protecting Human Rights had not obtained the proper permit.
Formed by six prominent lawyers and headed by Ebadi, the center has been a vigorous advocate of human rights in Iran for the past four years. The group has defended high-profile dissidents and journalists and has repeatedly criticized Iran's hard-line judiciary for "violations of human rights."
"Its activities are illegal and the violators of this decision will be prosecuted," Iranian media quoted the Interior Ministry as saying. Ebadi said her group needed no special permission for its actions. "Under Iran's constitution, non-governmental organizations that observe the law and do not disrupt public order do not need a permit," she said.
Ebadi won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 "for her efforts for democracy and human rights ... especially on the struggle for the rights of women and children," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said. She was the first Iranian and first Muslim woman to receive the honor.