In a letter to President Ahmedinejad, Barry M. Kamins of the New York Bar Association calls for the Iranian president’s attention in the matter of Haleh’s imprisonment and her subsequent release from prison.

Your Excellency:

I am writing on behalf of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (the “Association”) to respectfully request the immediate, unconditional release of Dr. Haleh Esfandiari from Evin Prison.

The Association is an independent non-governmental organization with more than 23,000 members in over 50 countries. Founded in 1870, the Association has a long history of dedication to human rights, notably through its Committee on International Human Rights, which investigates reports on human rights conditions around the world, including within the United States.

Based on Iran’s domestic law and international obligations, we protest Dr. Esfandiari’s arrest and detention and her deprivation of the right to counsel. We therefore urge you to immediately release Dr. Esfandiari, restore her travel documents and allow her to return to her family and her academic activities.

I respectfully request that you direct your attention to this important matter.

Very truly yours,

Barry M. Kamins

To read the letter in its entirety, click here