Ross hosts journalist imprisoned in Iran to talk about experience

It seems that international journalists represent a group prone to violence, kidnapping and unwarranted incarceration. One journalist who has personally encountered such injustices will be sharing her experiences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln tonight.

The Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center will be hosting "Courage Under Fire with Roxana Saberi" at 7 p.m.

The event is free of charge and open to the public.

Roxana Saberi is an Iranian-American journalist who was imprisoned in Iran in 2009 after being falsely accused of spying for the United States government. Saberi, who was held captive in Tehran's Evin Prison for 100 days, has since become a figure of international attention. Her widely celebrated book "Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran" explores Iranian society, human rights and recounts her grueling struggles in Evin Prison.

At the Ross tonight, Saberi will discuss her book, beliefs and personal history in addition to answering questions from the audience. She will also share photographs taken during her time in Iran and sign copies of her book at the end of the evening.  

"In my presentation, I plan to speak about Iranian society and culture, human rights, my imprisonment and the courageous women prisoners I met in Iran's Evin Prison," Saberi said. "Many of these women were prisoners of conscience who were being punished simply for peacefully standing up for basic human rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly and religion."  

The women, whom Saberi befriended while imprisoned, inspired her and provided invaluable insight that she wishes to bestow upon others.

"My cellmates taught me many lessons, such as the importance of staying true to one's principles amid adversity, which I believe are timeless and universal," Saberi said. "I would like to share some of these lessons with the audience."

Professor Brian Lepard of UNL's College of Law is helping coordinate "Courage Under Fire with Roxana Saberi," which he sees as a significant event that will address issues of the upmost importance.  

"Ms. Saberi's book and story are important at a number of levels," Lepard said. "They are inspirational on a personal level in that she honestly shares her own struggles to do what is right in the face of intense interrogation and pressure to lie — to admit falsely, that she was a spy for the U.S."    

The UNL professor also believes the event will help people understand daily life in modern Iran.  

"Ms. Saberi is able to illuminate our understanding of conditions in Iran today, including aspects of human rights," Lepard said. "Prior to her arbitrary arrest and imprisonment, she spent many years interviewing Iranians of all walks of life about their views and perspectives on Iranian society, so she is able to give us an intimate and revealing portrait of life inside Iran."

Lepard feels the event may be especially eye-opening by calling attention to the suppression of civil liberties worldwide.  

"Of course, Ms. Saberi's book and story are a sobering reminder of the pervasiveness of denials of basic human rights, not only in Iran, but in many countries throughout the world," Lepard said. "Through her account, we come to appreciate how rights to privacy, freedom of conscience, thought, expression, religion, fair judicial processes and humane conditions of detention are essential to human dignity."

Ultimately, Saberi tells people her story to spread awareness of oppression occurring around the world and to motivate others to fight for the rights of humans everywhere.  

"My aim is to give audience members a glimpse of these issues to help them better understand what is taking place in Iran today and perhaps even shed light on their own lives," Saberi said. "Every person who speaks out for those who can't make their own voices heard, wherever they are in the world, can make a difference."

mikehollins@

dailynebraskan.com

if you go:

"Courage Under Fire"

when: Today, 7 p.m.

where: Mary Riempa Ross Media Arts Center

how much: Free