New York

03 January 2009

Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Iran

The Secretary-General is greatly concerned about reports that Iranian lawyer, human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shirin Ebadi has been threatened in recent days, her Center for the Defense of Human Rights broken into and materials taken, and that hostile crowds have mobilized today outside her office and home. He calls on the Iranian authorities to take immediate measures to prevent any further harassment and to ensure Shirin Ebadi's safety and security.