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Alison W wrote: The fact that this article is out on the third anniversary of the Green Movement makes my heart sing. I love the idea of activism and fighting through the hard times - Thank you to Shirin and all who were involved in creating this very important report! posted 7/3/2012 at 12:54 PM

Darryl G wrote: It is apparent by this report that the Iranian people are being subjected to extreme human rights violations by a cruel and increasingly power hungry regime. Dr. Ebadi is quoted as saying "We shall not remain silent." However, this is exactly what the international community has done. WE HAVE REMAINED SILENT! It is not to say that there are not people speaking out about these violations. However; collectively, we have not raised our voices as we should in addressing this regime's gross human rights violations. Instead, the main focus of our attention has been on Iran's nuclear enrichment program. Though this may be a legitimate fear and a cause for grave concern; why should it be our only concern? We must not lack empathy for the Iranian people. Their plight must become our plight. It is the responsibility of any person who claims to value freedom and love justice to empathize with them. This report should help put a fire in our bellies and inspire action. It should help shift our own rhetoric on the subject of Iran. I believe that we often become apathetic to the Iranian plight due to the fact that we do not differentiate between Iranian citizens and the dictatorship that they are under. Many of us put ALL Iranian people into one box. However; Iran is a dichotomy. There are those brave souls who are longing for freedom and democracy and then there are those who oppress them in the most horrific ways. There is no freedom of religion, freedom of speech, or freedom of the press like there is in a democracy. Also, it is important for us to note that it is not Iranian citizens seeking a nuclear weapon; it is their regime. It will be the citizens and not the regime who will be hit hardest by international sanctions. Meanwhile, those who should receive justice continue to thrive while their citizens experience poverty, misery, and the continued violation of their civil rights. It is time to put human faces to Iran. We must see the larger picture. Its not just about nuclear weapons. It is about other weapons as well. The weapon of fear and the weapon of oppression. I hope that Iran will experience the democracy that the are longing for. I pray for another revolution. However, this time I hope they get it right and realize that democracy can only work when there is freedom of religion. Sharia law must not become "The Law." Every time man seeks to implement the law of God, they become devils themselves. It happened with christian puritans in America just as it is happening in Iran. Iran must take the lead of their Ancient King Cyrus the Great. This was a man who is believed to have wrote one of the first charters for human rights. An ancient clay cylinder was discovered. In it Cyrus writes: I am Cyrus. King of the world. When I entered Babylon... I did not allow anyone to terrorise the land... I kept in view the needs of Babylon and all its sanctuaries to promote their well-being... I put an end to their misfortune. It is time to put an end to Iran's misfortune. posted 7/3/2012 at 2:59 PM

Dawn E wrote: This is terrific work, and I am so proud that we are able to help share this with the world! posted 7/8/2012 at 6:58 AM

Sara R wrote: This is excellent work that is being done, and I think it's great there is a comprehensive plan as part of this report and to make suggestions to various organizations. posted 7/9/2012 at 9:37 AM

Maria M wrote: I'm actually left speechless after reading the report I didn't know any of this was occurring and it disappoints me. It also makes me feel how ignorant I am of other nations problems. It makes me wonder where else are there this problems? and Can we find a solution for them. posted 7/9/2012 at 10:11 AM

Kate C wrote: SHIRIN EBADI IN THE NEWS AGAIN TODAY....WARNING THE WORLD ABOUT IRAN "Iran: A volcano that could explode any moment", Nobel Peace Prize Shirin Ebadi says (ANSAMed) - SORRENTO, JULY 9 - ''Iran is a volcano that could explode at any moment,'' Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi told ANSAMed after a women's meeting during a conference by the Banks and Businesses Observatory (OBI) today. ''The Arab Spring began in Iran, but it was repressed with violence,'' Ebadi said. ''In 2009 many citizens were murdered, and many more incarcerated. Because of this violence, the street protests were interrupted. But the situation in Iran remains like a volcano, likely to explode at any moment.'' The Iranian lawyer and human rights activist went on to express hope that the Arab Spring might have a positive effect on her own country as well. ''If the uprisings in North Africa were to have positive outcomes resulting in democracy, this would reflect positively on Iran,'' Ebadi said. ''But what is happening right now in Syria is a civil war, and this could slow down the democratization process.'' Ebadi called on the new leaderships of Egypt and Tunisia to not repeat Iran's errors, but to keep state and religion separate, following the Turkish model. ''It is natural for Muslims to prefer political Islam,'' Ebadi said. ''But electing Islamic parties does not necessarily mean that the religion and the state are one and the same. We must separate between the two, as in Turkey.'' The new political elites, Ebadi said, would do well to observe the Iranian example. ''If they are intelligent, they will compare Iran and Turkey. In 1997, the economic condition of Iran was better and more evolved than Turkey's, but now the roles are reversed. I hope the North African revolutionaries will avoid Iran's mistake.'' In Egypt, the vice presidential nominations of a Coptic Christian and a woman indicate that the country will follow the Turkish model, Ebadi said. She went on to criticize the West, which is ''more focused on its own economic interests than on human rights in Arab countries. I am against military intervention because usually it slows down the democratization process. Instead of intervening militarily, the West should have prevented the various dictators from hoarding their wealth in foreign banks. Europe could have preemptively prevented them from slaughtering their own people,'' Ebadi said. Asked about the détente between Egypt and Iran, Ebadi said Cairo will never substitute Damascus as the prime ally of the mullahs. ''It is normal for the two countries to have friendly relations. But Syria is a red line for the Iranian regime, which will defend Assad tooth and nail,'' Ebadi said. ''The Syrian President is a puppet in Iranian hands, and Egypt cannot substitute Syria.'' (ANSAMed). Read full article here posted 7/9/2012 at 4:52 PM