NIAC Hosts Shirin Ebadi for In-Depth Conversation on Iran Policy

& Human Rights Monday, April 25, 2011 By: NIAC Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Dan Rene Phone: 202-973-1325 Email: drene@levick.com Washington, DC - The National Iranian American Council (NIAC), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian-American community, hosted a forum on Iran policy and human rights on Saturday April 23rd in McLean, VA with Nobel Laureate Shirin Ebadi. Dr. Ebadi, an Iranian lawyer, former Chief Justice and human rights activist was the founder of Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran. On October 10, 2003, Ebadi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her significant and pioneering efforts for democracy and human rights, especially women's, children's, and refugee rights. She was the first ever Iranian to have received the prize. On Saturday, she led an in-depth conversation about the human rights situation and what the local Iranian-American community can do to assist the cause for human rights in Iran. “We could not be happier that the local Iranian-American community had this special opportunity to have a private audience with Dr. Ebadi on these important matters,” stated Nobar Elmi, NIAC’s Director of Community Outreach. “The Iranian-American community is deeply concerned about the human rights situation in Iran.” “The timeliness of Dr. Ebadi's work on human rights is underscored with daily breaking news of democracy arising in the region,” Trita Parsi, NIAC President said. “Ebadi's message was well received by the community – only a non-violent campaign for change can succeed, the international community must put greater focus on human rights in Iran, and war is the greatest threat to the Iranian pro-democracy movement.” Copies of Dr. Ebadi's new book The Golden Cage were available for the participants. Her previous book Iran Awakening has been translated into forty languages. ### About NIAC The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) is nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the interests of the Iranian American community on civic, cultural and political issues, supplying the tools and knowledge to enable informed decision-making and civic participation and promoting strategic engagement with Iran that includes human rights as a core issue and addresses American and regional security concerns.  Please visit http://www.niacouncil.org. For more information, or to schedule an interview with a NIAC spokesperson, please contact Dan Rene of Levick Strategic Communications at 202-973-1325 or drene@levick.com