The raid was conducted ahead of a celebration to mark the 60th anniversary of the UN’s Human Rights Day. Ebadi’s secretary, Jinous Sobhani, was arrested on January 14, reported CNN. She worked as a secretary for two human rights groups – the Defenders of Human Rights and the Organization for Defending Mine Victims – funded by Shirin Ebadi. – In addition to taking her into custody, they also confiscated her computer case, her mobile phone, and her address book, Ebadi said to CNN.
Iran – executions
– The fact that the police closed down her office in December without any legal explanation, explains the extreme conditions human rights defenders are exposed to in Iran, says Kariane Westrheim, member of the Rafto Prize Committee and chairman of the European Union Turkey Civic Commission (EUTCC). Shirin Ebadi is patron of the EUTCC. Ebadi has repeatedly criticised Iran’s human rights record, saying the country had the highest number of executions per capita in 2007 and a growing number of political prisoners. Iran’s government denies it violates human rights and accuses its Western critics of hypocrisy.
Appeal to the authorities
The U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his concerns about reports that Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi was being harassed, reported VOA News on January 4. Mr. Ban Ki-moon called on Iranian authorities to take immediate measures to prevent any further harassment and to ensure Ebadi’s safety. The United States has also criticized the harassment, saying such actions are part of an increasingly hostile campaign targeting human rights activists in Iran.
Iranian authorities respond
Iran issued a statement on January 5 that the closure is not permanent and that the Center for Defenders of Human Rights led by Ebadi can re-open once it obtains the correct permit, reported Reuters. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi said that the closing of the office of Shirin Ebadi was a legal matter and that the authorities would provide security for her if she needed it. – Iran is a free country and there are no limitations for human rights activists. The way to deal with this is to complete the legal process and receive the necessary permission for activity, stated Hassan Qashqavi.
Background
Shirin Ebadi was awarded the Rafto Prize in 2001 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her tireless and courageous work for human rights in general and for strengthening the legal status of children and women in particular.
