Independent. Evidence-Based. Impact-Driven.
The Expert Forum
The Iran Expert Forum is an independent think tank dedicated to the objective analysis of Iran’s complex political and human rights landscape. Through rigorous, evidence-based research, we examine the structural mechanisms of power in contemporary Iran. Our work focuses on identifying the systemic barriers to democratic progress, including the use of disinformation, the restriction of civic space, and the erosion of fundamental freedoms. We believe that a deep, expert-level understanding of these dynamics is essential for any meaningful transition toward a society rooted in the rule of law.
Laila Jazayeri
Director & Women’s Rights Advocate
Director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK and a dedicated advocate for women’s rights. A practising psychotherapist and ADHD coach, she works to highlight gender-based discrimination and systemic abuses affecting women in Iran, engaging closely with UK parliamentarians, human rights organisations, NGOs and media outlets. She has appeared as a commentator on the BBC, ITV and Sky News, contributing analysis on developments in Iran and the ongoing struggle for women’s rights.
Her advocacy is informed by both professional expertise and personal experience, including the loss of her husband, reinforcing her longstanding commitment to justice, accountability and fundamental freedoms for the Iranian people.
Azadeh Zabeti
Vice-President & Director, Human Rights and Rule of Law
A London-based human rights and women’s rights advocate with over two decades of experience specialising in Iran and the Middle East, she serves as Vice-President of the Committee of Anglo-Iranian Lawyers and Director of the Centre for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law in Iran. She represents families of victims of the 1988 mass executions in Iran and has been active in international efforts to advance accountability for serious human rights violations. She regularly speaks at parliamentary and international legal forums and has appeared on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World.
Naghmeh Rajabi
Deputy Director & Senior Human Rights Adviser
An Iranian-born human rights advocate and programme manager serving as Deputy Director of the Association of Anglo-Iranian Women in the UK, she brings over two decades of experience focused on Iran and the wider Middle East. Living in exile, she contributes to evidence-based reporting on human rights conditions in Iran and provides informed analysis to UK parliamentarians and international media.
Rana Rahmanfard
Media & Political Discourse Specialist
A linguistics specialist in media and politics, holding an MA in Applied Linguistics with a focus on political communication and discourse, she is a human rights advocate with recognised expertise on Iran. She has organised and hosted high-level conferences at the UK Parliament, spoken at international human rights forums in London, Paris, and Berlin, and regularly provides expert commentary through television and radio interviews. Her work analyses state narratives, media framing and political language, bringing academic rigour to public debate on Iran, democracy and human rights.
Fara Hosseini
Legal Adviser & Human Rights Advocate
A London-based Iranian lawyer and member of the Law Society of England and Wales, she advises charities and international human rights organisations, with particular expertise relating to Iran. Active in efforts to secure justice for victims of political violence, she regularly speaks at public forums across Europe and has been interviewed by international media, including the Associated Press, the BBC and Time magazine.
Nargis Rahmanfard
Research & Advocacy Adviser
A human rights and women’s rights advocate and member of the Anglo Women and Youth Association, she holds a Master’s degree in Psychiatric Research and works as an NHS researcher. Her advocacy is informed by lived experience, having become a refugee in childhood following political persecution of her family, including the execution of a close relative. She works to highlight documented human rights concerns in Iran, with particular focus on women and young people at heightened risk.
Mohammad Sulimani
Cultural & Human Rights Advocate
An Iranian artist, rapper and human rights advocate, he holds a Master’s degree in International Politics and Human Rights. Through his creative work and public engagement, he addresses themes of freedom, justice and cultural identity, using cultural expression as a platform to raise awareness of human rights issues.
Mo Namdari
Policy & Public Affairs Adviser
An aerospace professional and Iranian human rights advocate based in the UK, his work is informed by personal loss linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), reinforcing his commitment to justice and accountability in Iran. He provides commentary on developments in Iran and engages through public speaking and digital platforms to amplify the perspectives of Iranian youth and promote international awareness of human rights concerns.
Independent Monitoring
Our methodology is anchored in rigorous independent monitoring and multi-layered cross-verification. We synthesise information from a broad spectrum of independent sources—including direct witness accounts, digital forensic inquiry, and satellite surveillance—to uphold the most stringent standards of evidence-based reporting. This disciplined approach ensures that news organisations, NGOs, and global policymakers receive authoritative and accurate intelligence on human rights developments concerning Iran and its diaspora communities.