The Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in Iran-Austria was created in 1982 in response to the deposition of the Shah in 1979 and the introduction of a new, undemocratic government. The Committee is a nonpartisan group that has fought for human rights since its founding. Their charter is based upon the Universal Declaration of Human Rights issued by the United Nations in 1948 and the UN International Covenant of Political and Civil Rights from 1966. Their mission is driven by a commitment to uphold international human rights law. They achieve this by using mass media to draw attention to human rights violations and creating networks between organizations worldwide. The organization strives to protect hundreds of political figures who have taken refuge in Austria. It is for these efforts that they received the Bruno Kreisky Prize in 1995. Recently under the government of the Iranian President Ahmadinejad, the human rights situation in Iran has considerably worsened. As a result, the Committee for the Defense of Human Rights has become more active in seeking support from Austrians. They often call on the public opinion to bring awareness of human rights situation in Iran through their website and a periodic report on the situation.