We, a collective of Iranian Americans, along with our other co-signatories, express our concerns about Barbara Slavin teaching at George Washington University given her long history of exchanging with Islamic Regime officials and collaborating with The National Iranian American Council. 

Barbara Slavin has been a long time consultant, member and featured speaker of The National Iranian American Council (NIAC). NIAC has played a crucial role in lobbying for the Islamic Regime of Iran in the United States as demonstrated by their multitude of meetings with regime officials and long advocation for bills that have benefited the Islamic Regime and not the Iranian people. To illustrate concerns over NIAC’s negative impact on the safety of the Iranian community, a petition renouncing NIAC as the voice for Iranians has received over 35,000 signatures thus far, and 1500 Tasvir, a grassroots organization led by activists inside Iran, has renounced NIAC as well. 

As an effective member of NIAC, Barbara Slavin has justified the atrocities committed by the Islamic Republic and her position at GW has given her further power in doing so. Slavin has neither renounced her affiliation with NIAC nor held accountability for her role in damaging the freedom efforts of many Iranians. Instead, she has remained firm on her position and even noted “If #Iran were smart it would reseal the deal now and change the subject…” found here on October 6th 2022, in the midst of protests and killings of innocent Iranians. The suggestion as to how the IR should divert attention from the bravery of countless Iranians risking their lives for basic human rights is void of any morality and a threat to Iranian lives. As a lecturer with a large platform on U.S.-Iran relations in the Elliott School of International Affairs, putting a stop to these comments is highly critical. 

Slavin’s role is not evidenced by a lack of awareness either. When confronted with concerns by Iranian dissidents Slavin chose to flip off Iranian dissidents and called them "terrorists" found here instead of engaging in respectful and open conversation as GW encourages. The decision to harass and call Iranian dissidents by pejoratives is a small event in a series of destructive decisions Slavin has made against the Iranian community and in violation of GW’s policies. 

The Code of Ethical Conduct at GW states that "The George Washington University (“GW”) strives to create a positive and ethical environment and maintain the confidence of local, national and global communities." Furthermore, The Equal Opportunity, Nondiscrimination, Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy explicitly states that “discriminatory harassment is any unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic where such conduct creates a hostile environment…”. Slavin’s conduct constitutes as discriminatory harassment; she has effectively alienated the Iranian community in their expression for freedom by creating an unsafe environment for Iranian individuals at GW. Slavin has also violated The Code of Ethical Conduct even more widely, by participating in attempts to tear the confidence of the Iranian global community in their sentiments for freedom.

We, the undersigned, ask George Washington University's Office of Ethics, Compliance, and Risk along with the Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs, Dr. Alyssa Ayres, to consider these violations and investigate Slavin's position as lecturer. We hope George Washington University continues to uphold their values of integrity, respect, openness, diversity, and courage as we strive to secure the same for Iranians in Iran. 

Sincerely,

Collective of Iranian Americans