i would like to introduce assistant secretary for democracy human rights and labor robert estero. as he previously served a six year term as commissioner of the u.s. commission on civil rights. he has worked on a 15 year interfaith dialogue in united states and in the middle east. he is a passion for the people of iran and defending their rights. my friend tom -- a row. [applause] >> good morning everybody and not the half of the department of state and the bureau of democracy and human rights and labor i would like to welcome you this morning and thank you all for your participation. i'm very heartened by the presence of so many individuals today who are concerned about reclaiming broken promises about human rights in iran. i also yearn for the day when those who want to be here with us today will be free to enjoy that in an extended conversation about the promises for more than 2.5 millennia from the time of cyrus the great and his historic decrees that were the precursors of modern-day human rights. secretary pompeo has been clear that our priorities at the state department sho