-Ottawa (January 7, 2009)

A group of eight Nobel Peace Laureates—including the 14th Dalai Lama, Wangari Maathai, Jody Williams, Desmond Tutu and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel— is asking the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to appoint a special investigator to look into recent attacks on Nobel Peace Laureate Shirin Ebadi’s home and office.

In a letter sent to Navanethem Pilly, the group of Peace Laureates note that the Iranian government’s actions against Ebadi and her human rights colleagues put the lives “of many dozens of people” in jeopardy and stress their concern for Ebadi’s safety and ability to carry out her work.

Over 150 protestors attacked Ebadi’s home and office on January 1, while Iranian police stood by and did nothing. Ebadi is known internationally for her work defending the rights of individuals unjustly imprisoned in Iran and efforts to reform the legal system.

A few days before, on December 29, Iranian police raided the private law office of Ebadi, and seized the files of dozens of her human rights clients and also computers and some of her personal writings. The assault came closely on the heels of the raid and closure of an organization founded by Ebadi, the Centre for the Defense of Human Rights—an action which has since been condemned by governments and human rights organizations around the world.

The group of Laureates has also sent a letter to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, asking him to take leadership in pressuring Iranian officials to protect Ebadi and respect the right of human rights workers in Iran.

Both letters are signed by the following Peace Laureates: Jody Williams (1997), Betty Williams (1984), Mairead Corrigan (1976), President José Ramos-Horta (1996), Wangari Maathai (2004), Rigoberta Menchu Tum (1992), The 14th Dalai Lama (1989) and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel (1980).

For more information, or to schedule an interview, please call:

Rachel Vincent
Manager, Media Relations
Nobel Women’s Initiative
613-276-9030
rvincent@nobelwomensinitiative.org

LEARN MORE

Read Nobel Laureates Alarmed at Increased Persecution of Iranian Laureate.

Learn how we’re asking the public to take action for Dr. Ebadi here.