Re: [hr-wsis] HR caucus proposes Shirin Ebadi to speak at WSIS opening

[karen banks <karenb@gn.apc.org>]

Dear Meryem and all

Apologies for the late response to this. APC members and staff have 
only just returned from our council meeting, yesterday.

Roberto Bissio has already made public his acceptance to stand aside 
to allow Shirin Ebadi to speak, and as the nominator of Roberto, APC 
formally withdraws his nomination and is fully supportive of the 
lobby to have Ms. Ebadi speak in the opening ceremony.

Karen Banks for APC

At 12:51 12/10/2005, Meryem Marzouki wrote:
> Dear all,
>
> Shirin Ebadi, 2003 peace Nobel prize winner, accepted the proposal 
> from WSIS CS Human Rights Caucus to propose her as a speaker for 
> Summit opening. For the HR caucus, having Shirin Ebadi speaking 
> would be the strongest symbol that the information society should be 
> built on human rights and social justice foundations.
>
> The HR caucus has asked Shirin Ebadi if she would be willing to 
> speak after having seen the first list of proposed speakers 
> circulated on Sept. 30. (with Adama Samassekou and Renata Bloem 
> proposed as possible speakers for opening).
>
> Apparently, we are now compelled to propose Shirin Ebadi directly to 
> ITU, since the "selection committee" has already sent its list.
>
> We would be very pleased however to include support from other 
> caucuses and organizations to Shirin Ebadi proposal. You certainly 
> remember that Shirin Ebadi was considered by CS as a whole to speak 
> at the opening ceremony of the Geneva summit, but at that time, she 
> was not available because she was receiving her prize in Oslo.
>
> If you want to support this nomination, please sent a message to me 
> (marzouki@ras.eu.org) as soon as possible. Caucuses or individual 
> organizations are most welcome.
>
> More info at: http://nobelprize.org/peace/laureates/2003/index.html
>
> Best regards,
> Meryem Marzouki
> HR caucus co-chair