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 The Nobel Women’s Initiative—founded by Dr. Ebadi and five of her sister Nobel Peace Laureates—condemns all accusations against Iranian Nobel Peace Laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi. The most recent incident involves accusations that her daughter converted to the Bahai faith, and appear to be related to Dr. Ebadi’s decision to defend in court seven members of the Bahai minority in Iran.
On August 8, 2008, a long article was published on the website of the official Iranian Republic News Agency (IRNA) and in the newspaper Jomhouri Eslami leveling a series of attacks against Dr. Ebadi and her family. This article followed a series of articles in other Iranian newspapers accusing Dr. Ebadi of various crimes against Islam and subversive acts against the state of Iran. She has publicly defended her right to legally represent members of the Bahai faith being persecuted in Iran. Dr. Ebadi and her family have also gone on record in the Iranian media, denying any family members’ conversion to the Bahai faith and underscoring their commitment to Islam.
The Nobel Women’s Initiative is calling on the Iranian government to condemn the propagation of false statements in Iranian newspapers, and to fully respect Dr. Ebadi’s right to carry out her work defending the human rights of Bahai and other minorities in Iran. The Initiative calls also for the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders and the Acting United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to issue a strong reaction of support of Dr. Ebadi, and to closely monitor threats to Dr. Ebadi.
“The protection of minority groups—including religious minorities—is a hallmark of democracy and good governance,” notes Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams. “We ask Iran to respect international law and human rights, and ensure the protection of Dr. Ebadi and her basic human rights.”
TAKE ACTION
The Nobel Women's Initiative has distributed the above statement expressing concern for the safety of Dr. Shirin Ebadi and her family to Iranian and other international officials.
Since this statement was issued, our concerns for Dr. Ebadi's safety have only increased. While Dr. Ebadi is often faced with adversity in her work in Iran, we believe the recent string of accusations and threats are particularly dangerous for her. We are calling on the international community to mobilize every possible support to protect her.
We urge you to join our efforts to protect and defend Dr. Ebadi. Please write to President Ahmadinejad and ask that he make good on his own promise, made in April 2008, to protect Dr. Ebadi.
Send your letter to:
His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud AhmadiNejad
The Presidency
Palestine Avenue, Azerbaijan Intersection, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 649 5880
E-mail:
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Salutation: Dear Sir
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