In an interview with the ISHR, the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Shirin Ebadi emphasizes:
“It is the special responsibility of politicians to make the human rights situation an issue around the world – not just their own. The violation of human rights must not be tolerated anywhere, because all human beings are born free and with equal rights. (…) Politicians should actively raise human rights issues in bilateral talks with the Iranian government.”
If you are traveling to a country such as Egypt, China, Iran, Cuba, Saudi Arabia or Turkey, you should ask to talk to political prisoners and their relatives. Ebadi vigorously rejects the fear that the fight against human rights violations could ultimately harm the victims themselves:
“No, it is a great help for them if their situation becomes known and remains!”