In this interview, Mehrangiz Kar takes a historical look at jurisprudence during four decisive pe... more In this interview, Mehrangiz Kar takes a historical look at jurisprudence during four decisive periods in the history of modern Iran. Starting with the Constitutional Movement, Kar charts the evolution of Iranian jurisprudence through the reigns of both Pahlavi monarchs, ending her account with an analysis of jurisprudence under the Islamic Republic. As a female jurist, Ms. Kar is especially attuned to discriminatory laws related to family law and women’s rights and she points out the periods of progress in this field during the last hundred years, as well as the times when such jurisprudence regressed. Indeed, Mehrangiz Kar maintains that the ascendency of sharia law since the Islamic Revolution has made it more difficult for Iran to achieve the rule of law demanded by the people during the Constitutional Movement. She contends that without major political restructuring, Sharia law will continue to dominate Iran’s jurisprudence, ensuring that the century-old demand for a modern legal regime will persist. Mehrangiz Kar reflects that Iranian civil society—especially the intellectuals--never truly appreciated the achievements of the second Pahlavi shah regarding women’s rights until those were discarded and redefined by the Islamic Republic. Some may not agree with all of Ms. Kar’s conclusions, but all will be challenged by her thoughtful and provocative analysis.
In this interview, Mehrangiz Kar takes a historical look at jurisprudence during four decisive pe... more In this interview, Mehrangiz Kar takes a historical look at jurisprudence during four decisive periods in the history of modern Iran. Starting with the Constitutional Movement, Kar charts the evolution of Iranian jurisprudence through the reigns of both Pahlavi monarchs, ending her account with an analysis of jurisprudence under the Islamic Republic. As a female jurist, Ms. Kar is especially attuned to discriminatory laws related to family law and women’s rights and she points out the periods of progress in this field during the last hundred years, as well as the times when such jurisprudence regressed. Indeed, Mehrangiz Kar maintains that the ascendency of sharia law since the Islamic Revolution has made it more difficult for Iran to achieve the rule of law demanded by the people during the Constitutional Movement. She contends that without major political restructuring, Sharia law will continue to dominate Iran’s jurisprudence, ensuring that the century-old demand for a modern legal regime will persist. Mehrangiz Kar reflects that Iranian civil society—especially the intellectuals--never truly appreciated the achievements of the second Pahlavi shah regarding women’s rights until those were discarded and redefined by the Islamic Republic. Some may not agree with all of Ms. Kar’s conclusions, but all will be challenged by her thoughtful and provocative analysis.
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Talks by Mehrangiz Kar