Defenders of Human Rights Center (http://www.humanrights-ir.org/english/) was first established in Iran in 2002 at the initiative of the Nobel Peace Laureate Shiring Ebadi. Since its foundation the Center's lawyers have assisted more than 5000 defenders on a pro-Bono basis.The Human Rights Center promotes human rights, women rights, free and fair elections and due process of law. The center campaigns also for the end of child execution in Iran.

In January 2010 the Defenders of Human Rights Center was illegally closed down by the Islamic Republic's security forces.One of its founders, Shirin Ebadi, has been forced to exile in Europe, where she continues her advocacy work in defense of human rights.