Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  An update on Shirin Ebadi?

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The last time I met her was in February to support resuming the mandate of Dr. Shaheed, because it was very important for us. So we went and we met so many delegations in Geneva to make sure that on Iran's statements they are going to address different issues, including execution

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and all members of the committee and of the audience. Thank you for this opportunity.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Actually, for that, in general there is access, but it's very slow. One solution that Iranian activists who are experts in ICT suggested is giving access to the population to the Internet via satellite. That, if I am correct, needs real funds. If that is a multi-nation project to

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The Guardian Council has been there to make sure that legislated bills are not a gain in sharia law. Sometimes even if a law becomes a gain in sharia law, there is the expediency council that would arbitrate in favour of public interests. But in general, yes.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I am sorry. Can you rephrase it? I couldn't understand.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I think if democratic forces were to be more powerful, they could gain a majority in public and in institutions and the real power of the Supreme Leader would shrink. That is the idea for having a pragmatic way of giving more room to a democratic government. But in general, I bel

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  That's a good question. First of all, practically, there's working to make sure that in the October version of the universal periodical review of human rights, the issue of Iran's human rights will be addressed. For that, I believe that your country should work by July. Also,

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I believe President Rouhani does stand for it. They want recognition of a right to enrichment. I talked to so many politicians in Washington, D.C. They understand this, and I think that is part of the final deal. You have to meet somewhere in the middle. Of course, no party can g

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Your question is about execution, and not about Camp Ashraf, right?

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes, unfortunately in Iran's Islamic penal code, capital punishment is there and even they use it for drug smugglers, and so many of those executions have been used against drug smugglers and other varieties of things. As I said, this has been handled by the judiciary system. Of

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  As you know, women outnumber men in university, and the rate of literacy in the country is over 90%. So, compared with other neighbouring countries, the population in general is educated. In terms of women's issues, we face a patriarchal attitude, which is a global issue—it's no

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes. As I said, on human rights issues, other organizations have been engaged. The only tools Mr. Rouhani has, negotiation, lobbying, going to [Inaudible—Editor], releasing a few political prisoners, but this is an authoritarian regime. We know the nature of authoritarian regimes

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  I will start with the special rapporteur and human rights issues and Canada's role. I believe this has a great impact, even though the authorities in Iran say they don't care, it is biased, and so on. I am telling you, based on my experience, if there were no pressure from the in