Iranian American Bar Association’s Statement of Solidarity With the Iranian People
The Iranian American Bar Association stands in solidarity with the people of Iran and those seeking to exercise their fundamental rights. These rights are essential to self-determination and are owed to all people regardless of government or ideology.¹
Basic protections such as peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, access to information, and freedom from arbitrary detention are core principles of international human rights law. The suppression of these rights without lawful justification, necessity, and proportionality constitutes a direct assault on the rule of law.²
We honor the courage of the Iranian people who are demanding to be heard, and we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of human rights, due process, and the free flow of information.
¹ International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, arts. 1, 2, Dec. 16, 1966, 999 U.N.T.S. 171.
² Siracusa Principles on the Limitation and Derogation Provisions in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, UN Doc. E/CN.4/1985/4 (1985).
This statement reflects the position of IABA as an organization and does not represent the personal views of any individual member or chapter, unless specifically endorsed.
Iranian American Bar Association’s Response to the Situation in Iran
As a bar association, IABA is committed to providing meaningful education and support that extends beyond statements alone. Below are IABA’s educational resources and advocacy engagements developed in response to the current situation in Iran.
Written Resource | January 12, 2026
Countering Information Suppression in Iran
IABA has prepared a written resource examining the FREEDOM Act, bipartisan legislation that requires the U.S. government to assess whether emerging communications technologies could help counter internet censorship and shutdowns in Iran. The resource explains the bill’s scope as a reporting mandate, outlines the required interagency feasibility review, and highlights its relevance to current conditions and future policy discussions.
Educational Webinar | January 20, 2026
International Law, Information Suppression, and Accountability in Iran
IABA will host an educational webinar featuring Nema Milaninia, former prosecutor at the International Criminal Court and senior advisor at the U.S. State Department; Oona A. Hathaway, the Gerard C. and Bernice Latrobe Smith Professor of International Law at Yale Law School and president-elect of the American Society of International Law; and Tess Bridgeman, Non-Resident Senior Fellow and Visiting Scholar at the Reiss Center on Law and Security at NYU School of Law, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of Just Security.
Drawing on their extensive experience in international criminal law, national security, and global legal institutions, the speakers will examine recent developments in Iran through an international law lens. The discussion will address state responsibility, human rights obligations, information suppression, and the legal implications of emerging technologies and accountability mechanisms, with a focus on how these issues affect the Iranian people and the broader international community.
Register for the Webinar here.
Advocacy and U.S. Government Engagement
IABA, in collaboration with coalition partners, will be meeting with U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ) and Senator Ed Markey (MA), to support their efforts to educate policymakers on the impact of current events on Iranians in the United States and abroad. These discussions include potential legislative and administrative pathways for humanitarian relief, including deferred action, Temporary Protected Status, and humanitarian parole. IABA is actively working to engage additional members of Congress and other government officials to expand these efforts and advance meaningful support for the Iranian American community.