In 2010, a human rights lawyer successfully launched an international campaign on elimination of stoning punishment in Iran. He defended the rights of criminal juveniles under 18 who were sentenced to death. He supported the rights of many groups of people including children, women, social activists, politicians, and workers in Iran. However, he had to leave the country under the government’s pres
sure. He believes the main reason of having unfair legal system, lack of freedom of expression, lack of democracy and security in a country is the lack of tolerance within the system and people. Therefore, he decided to establish an organization named Universal Tolerance. Universal Tolerance Organization (UTO) was founded by Mohammad Mostafaei in 2012 in Drammen, Norway and It is committed to promote peace, democracy and respect for human rights. UTO believes that every person in any part of the world has the right to democracy, and states should not use their power to oppress their people’s rights of freedom of thought and expression. States must have tolerance to hear opposite views, eliminate discriminatory laws and prioritize toleration. Victims of human rights violation should be given voices and their voices should be heard. UTO also believes in the power of solidarity within human rights organizations to overcome states’ unequal power relations and to achieve these goals, local, national and international help is needed.
