Karimipour leaves NMI for Afghanistan

Chief Public Defender Masood Karimipour will be vacating his post soon and will act as adviser to Afghanistan’s Ministry of Justice under a U.S. Department of State program.

Karimipour joined the CNMI’s Public Defender’s Office in December 1997 and has headed that office for over six years. He will serve as the chief public defender until Friday before commencing his two-year mission in Afghanistan. He plans to come back to Saipan afterwards.

“Life is short. You can spend your life making money, or making a difference,” Karimipour said. “I grew up in Iran where people have few rights and poor people even less. I have committed my professional life to helping poor people get equal access to justice.”

Karimipour said the State Department program aims to strengthen institutions of democracy in Afghanistan. He said his mission in Afghanistan would be to help its Ministry of Justice build the capacity to implement its new Constitution and emerging laws to sustain a free society.

Karimipour said that, while safety in Afghanistan would certainly be a concern, fear should not affect one’s life and decisions. He said his safety would be in no bigger jeopardy than other CNMI residents who have been on missions to the Middle East.

“It’s a once-in-a-life time opportunity to do some good for a lot of very poor and deserving people. The people of Afghanistan have struggled for generations with foreign occupiers and human rights violations, much like the CNMI struggled under Japanese occupation,” Karimipour said.

“America is there now helping Afghanis experience freedom. Americans, including sons of the CNMI, are there helping democracy grow. I’m honored to have been considered and I’m proud to serve my country and help,” he added.

Karimipour expressed gratitude to his staff at the PDO. “I am proud of the people in my office for fearlessly fighting to protect the rights of poor people in the community. Because of their dedication, the Public Defender’s Office enjoys the confidence and trust of the community and the respect of the judges in our courts.”

Karimipour designated Assistant Public Defender Elisa Long as acting PDO chief once he vacates the post.

He said he would come back to Saipan after completing his mission in Afghanistan.

“The people of this community have been so kind and loving to me and my wife. So many families have adopted us and made us a part of their family. It breaks my heart to leave even if only for two years,” Karimipour said.