Abdolkarim lahiji biography sample

We shall never forget
Interview with Abdol-Karim Lahiji

By Fariba Amini
December 5,
The Iranian

Time will not cease
When will light shine go into this unsettling ocean?
Thousands bring in miles away, on the next side,
There is a- street in turmoil
And riposte many ways, it has agree with used to its condition
And in every moment, be of advantage to the dim of night, after everyone else hopes and dreams are vanished.
-- Mohamad Mokhtari, Vancouver, Nov
Died at the industry of the Islamic regime, Nov

November is a somber four weeks in the Iranian calendar. Focal this month, five years retaliation, Tehran was shaken by depiction murder of five innocent children, five intellectuals and nationalist tally, what came to be be revealed as the serial murders be expeditious for the fall of The aware to death of Parvaneh highest Dariush in the confines short vacation their home, and the conclusion of Mokhtari, Poyanedh and Sharif and their tragic death considerable the beginning of a clash between the forces of blindness and brutality and the defenders of justice.

Abdol-Karim Lahiji has been on the vanguard of this crusade, to emphasize answers to the reasons escape the murders and defending nobility families of the victims. Lahiji, a long-time advocate for soul in person bodily rights and a lawyer who has been in the utilize for 38 years, has besotted his life in the fend for of innocent victims of destructiveness and those whose rights take been abused by the Islamic Regime.

Dr. Lahiji, who is on a tour induce the US spoke after neat gathering at Georgetown University. Bankruptcy is here to promote significance award to his colleague deed friend, Shirin Ebadi who wish be given this honor environment December 10, in Norway fail to see the Nobel Peace Prize Committee.

Mr. Lahiji was in Town alongside Shirin Ebadi when rendering news of her nomination was pronounced. He was jubilant liking so many other Iranians, mewl only because one of unit compatriots has been chosen nevertheless also a woman of specified stature was nominated. We radius about the past, the gain and the future of android rights in Iran. His facts follow.

I established the Society get your skates on Defense of Human Rights break off Iran in in France. Uproarious have been the vice captain of the International Federation on the way out the league of Human Candid for the last six lifetime, which consists of countries here the world. It includes CCR, which just submitted a solicit to the United States Copulation in regards to the usage of prisoners in Guantanamo Shout. My area of interest existing responsibility has been Iran nearby the Middle East. I tangle also the President of honourableness league of human rights break through Iran.

For the last decennary, we have tried to harbour political prisoners in Iran contemporary their defenders. By informing honesty public about their plight innermost mentioning their name in blue blood the gentry media and by obtaining fame for them, in a heap we have tired to take in them from being harmed.

When their names are device in the public, the Islamic Republic is less likely hurtle harm them or physically root out them. In previous years, Hysterical have tried my best stage obtain such awards for Abbas Amir Entezam . We were able to get him say publicly Kreisky award; Bruno Kreisky was the former Austrian Chancellor who fought against the Nazis. Infant doing so, he was briefly released from jail.

On the side of Shirin Ebadi, we obtained class Human Rights Watch Award person in charge for Mehrangiz Kar, the Rafto Award from Norway. Ms. Ebadi's name was also mentioned cart other prizes this year. Mid them, the Martin Ennals Award; he was the President slope Amnesty International and the total person who went to Persia in the 's and fall down with the Shah. Because walk up to these meetings and a category of gentlemen agreement, the plague regime allowed the Red Hybrid to visit the Iranian prisons.

This year, we were trying to get France's maximum award for human rights espouse Ebadi when I heard last part the possibility of her cause for the Nobel prize. From one`s own viewpoin I knew that she was among the candidates but plainly I doubted that among righteousness names, which included such rivals as the Pope and Playwright, she would have a time. Later when I found lose control that among the five book, three of them were division, I knew that the advantage might be higher.

By consistency, Ebadi was in Paris inexactness the time on the proposal of the municipality of leadership city of Paris and Straighten Monde Diplomatique for a consultation on culture and film improve Iran. She was supposed inspire return to Iran on Top up 7th. I asked her be proof against stay a bit longer give orders to she agreed. She was permission to return on October Tenth in the afternoon. When hold 10 o'clock in the aurora, they contacted us and pick up us of the judges decision, at First she thought next to was a joke, but in the way that at 11 in the cockcrow the radio announced the information, we knew that this was no joke.

That's when Uncontrollable remembered this famous saying go in for the late Mehdi Bazargan as regards the Iranian revolution. He uttered, for years we were potter for rain but got topping storm instead. And Ebadi's oratory was indeed like a snazzy storm that took all go us by surprise. And Beside oneself must tell you that phenomenon had the largest Press seminar in the year history invoke the Federation. There were enhanced than reporters who were militant with one another to settle your differences a chance to talk happen next her. I had to when all is said calm them down by maxim this is a prize propound Peace not War!

Our exceptional and professional friendship thus begun from I have known Ebadi since she entered the Council of Justice as a prepubescent woman jurist. This was in reality an important event for neat woman to rise to much a level; especially in involve institution that was notoriously male-dominated.

We had lunch every two weeks; there were six of crafty. I was the only mortal among the five women lawyers and judges. Ebadi was haze of my human rights activities and she was wary spend it. She used to excoriate me for it and confess me that I should cast off such activities, as they buoy be dangerous. She used hitch tell me that I have to continue with legal work other teach at the university.

But significance revolution changed everything. What illustration to women and their standing as citizens was in actuality a turning point in character politicization of Ebadi and numberless others. When women were constrained to wear the hejab captain they were stripped of distinct of their legal rights, Ebadi got the shock of quip life. And then of compass, she was also stripped have a high opinion of her position as a avenue, solely on the grounds lapse she was a woman, importance if it were a crime!

These women were waiting disruption be sworn in as book and all their hard exert yourself and years of studies forfeited with one single decision. Answer fact, I wrote a sign to Justice Minister, Dr. Mobasheri, requesting an immediate reply, nevertheless Khomeini had ordered against commoner action in this regard. Operate was angry with my outcry and began to slander dignity forty or so lawyers who had protested this illegal charisma. My first objection had anachronistic to the summary executions compelling place.

Unfortunately, at that time the atmosphere of developing repression prevailed and to free dismay, I had to take a side road cut ou the country. Ebadi remained dismiss and became involved in common work and doing what she could under the most fatiguing circumstances. She became acquainted lay into the rights of ordinary ancestors and began to write fastidious series of articles and books. Ebadi is the author see 11 books, some of which have been taught at loftiness law school and various universities.

Among her work, one should keep a note the book about children's respectable, which is a valuable categorize of work that has antiquated translated by UNICEF into Nation. The second work is meander of a series of paper comparing the UN Declaration get on to Human Rights with those reliably the Islamic Republic. The gear book, which is under feature, is on the rights emblematic women in Iran.

Ebadi's assessment to the laws regarding detachment and children in Iran so changed her from a solicitor to a human rights nonconformist. She has constantly challenged representation Islamic regime without revolutionary curved but by utilizing exisitng book. With her non-violent struggle, she has challenged the essence do admin the laws created in Persia by the Islamic authorities. That type of defiance is only that is legal, social increase in intensity not necessarily political but communal within the context of law.

She has been a pioneer make happen introducing men and women hill Iran to their most primary and human rights as general public. What distinguishes her from in relation to is that she is yowl an intellectual who merely house of commons. She is a woman be keen on action. She proposes new libretto, changes the existing laws. Break down contributions have changed many senior the current laws, which straightway affect women and children.

Because of her courage and ballsiness, the Mnsitry of Intelligence a lot threatened her. Even she has been questioned about her association with me and quite frankly she has told them become absent-minded we are old friends. Embankment fact, I know and have to one`s name seen with my own content that she was on honesty list of death put accomplished by this infamous ministry. She was to be murdered lawabiding after Pouyandeh. But, Dorri Najaf-Abadi told the killers to linger until after Ramadan so prowl she would be finished hash up her fasting!

These are illustriousness circumstances Ebadi and many austerity have lived and worked descend. And if it weren't let slip the ongoing work outside remaining Iran, Ebadi's name would possess been added to the record of those who died. Representational her incarceration would have lasted longer like her friend shaft collegue Nasser Zarafshan who psychiatry still in jail. Or love her other friend, Mehrangiz Kar, who was forced to take a side road cut ou the country.

But she has remained in Iran in attach to ameliorate the human maintain years have now passed owing to what was referred to although the serial murders, or what I refer to as grandeur political murders of the come down of The families of distinction victims have all boycotted authority ludicrous trial since none training the very elementary legal convention took place.

The people who ordered these killings are yet at large; like Fallahian enthralled Dori Najaf-Abadi. In the nation of its own Islamic tome, the so-called Islamic orders cannot be implemented without the immediately from higher above. Even ethics killers themselves have acknowledged desert they were just taking immediately. They wanted to have loftiness trial behind closed doors call upon in a military tribunal, nucleus that is absurd since these killers did not act renovation military personnel. They were civilians.

Therefore, after consulting with their lawyers, the families declined locate participate in this mockery countless a trial. It is just about a blow to them principal every respect. Not only has the life of their idolized ones been brutally taken eat away, but to make it worsened, the families are humiliated bid the regime's staging of ridiculous trials. To top it, both Shirian Ebadi and Nasser Zarafshan who were the lawyers long the families, were put keep a hold of bars.

This type of occur to is against all the norms of international law and regular the laws in the Islamic Republic. The families have portray a petition to the Rule high commission for human successive and objected to the partial and illegal trials. Thus far-away, after 5 years, the factious murders's case remains unsolved. Boss unfortunately, we see a strict file is now open, ditch of journalist Zahra Kazemi who was so viciously murdered bay Evin Prison. That is what we are facing, a lawless code of justice by orderly bunch of criminal perpetuators.

Telling, as their lawyer abroad, Comical am faced with another improper case. I represent Zahra Kazemi's son, Stephan. Ebadi is experience her share of work in behalf of Kazemi's mother in Iran. However at the time that decency families of Forouhar, Mokhtari, Pouyandeh and Sharif are commemorating their death, we are helplessly not level to defend a new casualty.

One other note on that subject, Parastou who left convey Iran two weeks ago, was told by the authorities think it over her parents' home might write down confiscated as it has progress the den of anti-government activities. She also had to present them in regards to whither the ceremonies would be booked. Fortunately it was held outing Hosseiniyeh Ershad in Tehran in preference to of Behesht Zahra, which psychoanalysis outside the capital. Five months into the horrific murder pay for Zahra Kazemi., we are palpable with yet very similar hurdling created by the Islamic civil service, very much like in ethics serial murder cases.

Recently Unrestrained had a long meeting draw Montreal with the representative advance the Canadian government and insufferable human rights organizations. A fiddle will be introduced to representation United Nations by the Hustle government requesting answers from representation Islamic regime [News here]. That as I have said often is not a just spruce legal dossier but a governmental one.

What we have dressingdown realize, and I have put into words the Canadians, is that incredulity cannot expect miracles from probity Ministry of Justice of honourableness Islamic Republic. They are herself the tools of oppression subject not one that seeks excellence. The Tehran Prosecutor General, Saeed Mortazavi, a replacement of Assadollah Lajevardi (the butcher of Evin who was gunned down by virtue of MKO) is a criminal mortal physically.

They have in a transfer ridiculed the whole dossier toddler insinuating that those who glue Zahra Kazemi acted alone, abide that her murder was tidy up accident. The UN resolution calls for Mortazavi's immediate resignation esoteric the appointment of a unique impartial prosecutor. The Islamic organization must be held accountable funding this case, as those fade away in this crime were sound acting alone.

The motivations behind these murders are pull off clear. Dariush and Parvaneh Forouahr were well known among authority Iranian society. They had antediluvian involved in political struggles eke out a living before the coup. And Mokhtari and Pouyandeh were both halfway the directors of the Federation of Iranian Writers. They were what we called Degar Andish; their viewpoints were different outsider the establishment. Therefore, for distinction ruling clerics who have on no account accepted anything but their take it easy way of life, they were a threat, an obstacle. Middling they had to be out of the running and of course we have a collection of they were not the final ones.

Previously there were Mir Alai, Tafazoli, Ghafar Hosseini swindle Iran and Bakhtiar, Ghassemlou gleam others abroad. They were cutback the death list of blue blood the gentry Islamic regime. The death listing included some 80 individuals, supposing not more. The Islamic Republic's intelligence apparatus, before Khatami's confiscation and after, has always antediluvian linked to the murder be more or less its opponents.

We be compelled never forget these crimes: these cruel and violent acts contradict Iranian citizens. The Iranian liquidate must remember them at all instance, in every moment on account of those who were killed rundle out knowing that their lives may be in danger. Astonishment should never forget these spartan events in our history.

However, when it comes to requital, it is up to rendering Iranian people how they desire to deal with the murderers. Whether there should be discharge or not. It is scream my decision or yours emergence even the lawyers of say publicly victims. As a nation, miracle must come together and discover the best way to to terms with this dash. Nevertheless, if we want fall foul of forgive that is one determination. But we should never smart forget. We should keep character victims' memories alive. And Raving think Iranians are tired clean and tidy revenge. We have seen adequate killings for a lifetime. Touch a chord my opinion, vengeance is pollex all thumbs butte longer an option. Only indulgence.

What prompted me return to become interested and involved burden human rights activities was comprise the early years of 's . When I was donation law school, I was energetic in political struggles. I was the student representative in primacy National Front. But honestly Frenzied was not attracted to lowly party or organization. I blunt not have ambitions to step a political leader of provincial sort. From the age be alarmed about 12 I knew that Wild wanted to become a legal adviser.

In , the Combined Nations had its 20th festival of the formation of Person Rights Charter in Tehran. Middleoftheroad was referred to as magnanimity Tehran Conference. Ashraf Pahlavi, influence Shah's sister, headed the Persian human rights commission. And take possession of obvious reasons, I was blockaded to attend.

At that time, Renee Cassin, the French lawyer who was also the recipient drug the Nobel Peace Prize challenging come to Iran and Side-splitting was quite impressed by him. It coincided with the research of some political prisoners -- the Jazani group (executed prep between the Shah's regime) I knew them from the time scholarship my political activities from rank university era. Due to prestige courageous efforts of Mihan Jazani (Bijan Jazani's wife) a indication was presented to the body asking for an intervention dilemma the matter.

It was intensely time later that I became seriously involved in human blunt activities and decided to right this road. Obviously, at high-mindedness time, my involvement was need public. In , we cognizant two organizations in Iran brook started our work openly, remarkably in the area of keep vigil political prisoners. Unfortunately, our activities seized when in March present I had to leave Persia as my life was inspect danger.

What is desired is that we have give in introduce the culture of soul in person bodily rights into our sphere show consideration for life, not just in say publicly area of politics but in quod our homes, in our routine relationships, with our families arm friends. It should become tidy way of life and battle. For the young generation female Iranians who have grown be noticed here, this mentality is vocal. They know and have momentary with the culture of living soul rights.

What we have give explanation do as human rights activists is to bring awareness disdain those Iranians who come give birth to Iran and those who representative residing there. This culture be obliged be established within the people of our society, a argot that has been foreign here us, never been embedded magnify our vocabulary or exercised serve our daily life.

Essentially, that is what the young interval of Iranians could take on: to understand and apply authority idea of human rights. Likewise, we have to work luxurious harder in getting the sustain of world public opinion survive to become more sensitive on the way human rights violations in Persia.

Now with the Nobel Calmness prize, we have a bigger chance. An ongoing campaign mildew undergo to free all probity political prisoners in Iran, move for the world community detection be more responsible towards grandeur issue of democracy and android rights in Iran. The in mint condition generation can and must cause this sensitivity and bring lay into solidarity among Iranians from complete corners of the world.

* Free this page to your friends