HUMAN RIGHTS IN IRAN

I regularly do pro bono consulting with families of Americans held hostage in the Middle East and weigh in on the public and private campaigns for their release. I’ve also consulted with the California Department of Corrections, San Francisco’s District Attorney and various organizations on the practice of (and alternatives to) solitary confinement in US prisons.

•  2014: MSNBC, Interviewed on Obama orders review of US hostage procedure

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I've been a vocal advocate in support of Obama’s Iran Nuclear Deal, stating that under this new deal Iran would have less incentive to hold Americans as hostages and both countries would benefit from direct talks and a warming of relations. I continue to weigh in on human rights issues in Iran, including calling for the release of Iranian political prisoners and/or American hostages such as Zahra Bahrami, Jason Rezaian, Nasrin Sotoudeh, and Kaila Mueller. In 2012 Shourd contributed a song to the album Azadi: Songs of Freedom for Iran, produced by United for Iran.

• CD for Human Rights in Iran, https://azadimusic.bandcamp.com/album/azadi-songs-of-freedom-for-iran
• Interview about the Iran Nuclear Deal on Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell MSNBC
• 2015, Reuters, Former Hostage: Under Deal, Iran Has Less Incentive To Hold Americans