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Tribute by Louise Arbour, High Commissioner for Human Rights, to Akbar Ganji (bilingual)

I am delighted to have an opportunity to express my heartfelt congratulations to Akbar Ganji, the 2007 recipient of the prestigious John Humphrey Freedom Award. I only regret that I am unable to congratulate Mr. Ganji in person, as I did last year when he received another important prize, the Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders, in recognition of his determination and courage to further the cause of human rights in Iran.

In fact, I first heard of him and of his work when I was asked to intervene on his behalf when he was on hunger strike while incarcerated. Like many human rights defenders, Mr. Ganji has paid a heavy price, including 6 years in prison, for speaking out against injustice. His liberty was taken away, but not his determination to speak his mind freely.

As a lawyer and human rights activist, he richly deserves the honor that he is receiving from Rights and Democracy, and more importantly, he deserves our continued support and friendship.

As we prepare to embark on a year long celebration of the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we must remember that the freedom Akbar Ganji has cherished so deeply, the right to give and receive information and knowledge freely, belongs to everyone, everywhere. Iran is a country of strong and vibrant voices committed to the defense of fundamental freedoms. I heard some of these voices, including those of Iranian women, when I visited the country in September. I left Iran with concerns on a range of issues, but also heartened in the knowledge that courageous people like Akbar Ganji continued to be engaged in the defense of the human rights of all Iranians.

C’est donc un très grand plaisir pour moi de me joindre à vous pour exprimer mon admiration pour le travail accompli par M. Ganji et pour lui faire parvenir mes très sincères félicitations. Le rayonnement de son action dépasse les frontières de l’Iran et s’inscrit dans l’engagement solidaire des défenseurs des droits humains à travers le monde.