Norway is concerned about the decision by the Iranian authorities at the beginning of August to declare the Centre for Defence of Human Rights in Teheran illegal. The centre was founded and is led by the Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2003. The centre consists of a team of defence lawyers who have followed up some of the most well-known and difficult human rights cases in the country.

- The Norwegian Government takes a serious view of the decision by the Iranian authorities to declare the centre and its activities illegal. The decision is part of a worrying trend as regards freedom of speech and freedom of organisation in Iran. Norway has contacted the EU and others and is following up the situation closely in consultation with these countries, said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

Ms Ebadi has accepted an invitation to visit Norway in October. During this visit, she will take part in a seminar on women’s rights in Muslim countries organised by the Nobel Peace Center.