We are pleased to welcome Hossein Raeesi, who joins our Department for the Fall/Winter 2015-2016 academic year!
Mr. Raeesi, a member of the Scholars At Risk (SAR) network, is co-hosted by Carleton University and the Univeristy of Ottawa as a visiting scholar. While at Carleton, he will teach LAWS 4903A – Human Rights, Sharia Law and Islamic Legal System.
Our own Prof. Melanie Adrian, Chair of the Joint SAR Committee, notes:
“Scholars at Risk make invaluable contributions to the academic community by sharing their expertise, life experiences and motivations. I am delighted to welcome Mr. Raeesi to Ottawa and look forward to the year ahead.”
About our Visiting Scholar
Mr. Raeesi practiced law in Shiraz, Iran, for 20 years. He is the founder and former head of the Human Rights Committee of the Fars Province Bar Association. He is also the founder of Neday-e Edalat (Voice of Justice) Legal Association in Shiraz. As a pro bono attorney, Raeesi has defended political prisoners, journalists, women and children who were sentenced to the death penalty.
In 2012, Raeesi relocated to Canada to escape undue detention and legal actions from the Iranian government. Since then, he has been collaborating with human rights organizations on various issues such as Sharia law, human rights, the death penalty and LGBT issues.