Laureen Harper is stepping out of her comfort zone and into the complicated world of human rights. Like the prime ministerial wives who preceded her,

Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian mother who was convicted of adultery and sentenced to death by stoning, is still alive, for now – saved by

Amir is plain-spoken when he talks about the place called Behesht-e Zahra – the Paradise of Zahra – but a quiet awe sets in quickly.