A couple weeks ago I traveled to Vancouver, feeling exhilarated while on the 28th floor balcony of our hotel, amidst the skyline and overlooking downtown and the waterfront. Although I gave up my pseudo-photography hobby I still couldn't help but to take a few blackberry shots embodying the great scene, full of life, fantastic memories and terrific people.

Previously I wrote about how seven Bahá’ís were being held in jail solely because of their Faith. Earlier this past week, these seven Bahá’ís were sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Freedom of religion should be the birthright of people of all faiths and beliefs in all places. These individuals have done no wrong, and at every stage of the case - from their illegal detention and the brutal conditions of their confinement, through the trial, and now to a completely unlawful imprisonment - not even the most basic and fundamental norms of justice were respected. Read more about the history of this harsh sentence here: Bahá’í World News Service and contact your Congressional representative to support any actions which will be able to shine a spotlight on the Iranian government's behavior. Words can have an effect in making the Iranian authorities aware that they cannot violate basic standards of international human rights unseen by a watchful world.