NEWS. . . BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
Today marks two years since Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British charity worker, was released following her unjust imprisonment in Iran.
The British-Iranian dual citizen was on holiday in 2017 when she was arrested at Tehran airport for “spreading propaganda opposed to Iran” and sentenced to five years in prison.
For six long years, Nazanin was separated from her loved ones in Evin Prison, known for its violent and harsh living conditions.
Her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, campaigned tirelessly for her release, which was finally pronounced in March 2023.
But Nazanin is the only one unjustly imprisoned. Thousands of women around the world have been unjustly detained by governments because of their activism.
After the 2020 elections in Belarus, which were widely considered fraudulent, protests erupted across the country.
One woman helped lead the opposition: Maria Kolesnikova. She was sentenced to 11 years in prison for “extremism” and “attempting to seize power. “
In 2022, she was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery after being isolated for months, worrying her family and friends.
Although he has since recovered, it is very difficult to talk to Belarusian prisoners, so his relatives do not know how he is doing.
Four years after Maria’s conviction, exiled Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya told Metro. co. uk: “There are now at least 171 women political prisoners in Belarus. At least 8,000 women have suffered political persecution in Belarus.
“It is vital that the world unites and stays true to its democratic values. . . It’s hard, but there’s no other way. “
Egyptian women’s rights activist Amal Fathy was first imprisoned in 2018 after speaking out about her experience of sexual harassment and criticizing the Egyptian government.
Three days after the video was posted, her home was raided and arrested, before she became the victim of a smear crusade targeted by the government and online trolls.
She was paroled in December 2018, before being jailed in January 2022 on similar charges.
Amal is now a relaxed woman, still threatened by the Egyptian government, which she continues to criticize by denouncing sexual attacks and harassment in the country.
Narges Mohammadi worked for decades to free wrongfully accused activists in Iran, before being sentenced to herself.
Arrested thirteen times, she was sentenced to 31 years in prison and 154 lashes for her open crusade for women’s liberation in Iran.
For his tireless work, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2023; however, he remains one of Iran’s most infamous criminals, where Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe also served her criminal sentence.
After receiving her Nobel Prize, Narges said, “I will never stop fighting for the realization of democracy, freedom and equality. The Nobel Peace Prize will make me more resilient, determined, hopeful and enthusiastic.
In Mexico, Amuzga lawyer and indigenous Kenia Hernández was sentenced to 11 years and 10 years in prison for committing “gang attacks on public roads” and “robbery with violence with a weapon. “
His real crime? Working to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and in their local Mexico.
She was placed in solitary confinement for her resistance to the Mexican state.
Isabel Rosales, Civicus’ head of advocacy and campaigns for Latin America and the Caribbean, told Metro. co. uk: “Kenya Hernandez’s case is emblematic of the demanding situations faced by human rights defenders in Mexico.
“Despite excessive conditions, hunger strikes, discrimination and isolation, Kenya remains steadfast in its fight for justice. “
Ms. Rosales added that the Kenyan case is not an isolated incident, but a reflection of the widespread persecution faced by human rights defenders around the world.
He said: “By coming together, we can magnify the voices of those silenced by oppression and work towards a world where human rights are respected and upheld for all. “
After a conviction followed by years of “harassment and detention aimed at silencing nonviolent dissent,” Li Qiaochu’s imprisonment in China has stunned the world.
A labour and women’s rights activist was charged with “inciting subversion of state power”. Li was sentenced to 3 years and 8 months in prison for daring to speak out.
Sarah Brooks, Director of Amnesty International China, said: “Li Qiaochu’s unjust conviction is the result of the Chinese government’s ruthless crusade to silence her.
“Li has been ruthlessly attacked for expressing perspectives that the Chinese government would prefer to suppress, under the assumption that her speech could simply overthrow the government. His conviction highlights the serious risks associated with the non-violent defence of human rights in Xi Jinping’s China.
But Li is one of many activists illegally imprisoned in China for voicing opposition to Xi Jinping’s regime.
Others include: Kamile Wayit, Zhanargul Zhumatai, Zhang Zhan, Sophia Huang Xueqin, Gulshan Abbas and others.
Richard Ratcliffe, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband, campaigned tirelessly to get him out of jail.
Hunger strikes, campaigns in Parliament and much more marked his life for many years while his wife was incarcerated in Evin Prison.
Two years after Nazanin’s release, he told Metro. co. uk: “If you take a look at my family’s experience, the government was reluctant to interact; They were hopeful that the challenge would resolve itself. “
“Everything you do is done very quietly and, as a family, you are very careful that things don’t get resolved.
“We won a lot of wonderful words, but I had to draw political attention to Nazanin’s case and ask for it; however, all families have the ability to do so. “
Richard said that in recent years, more and more states appear to be unjustly imprisoning other people to exert influence and “use their own judicial formula as a diplomatic tool. “
She said the point of solidarity from other women in relation to Nazanin’s case is incredibly powerful.
And other cases, such as that of the women described above, have a network that is helping families, something irreplaceable in the face of the unthinkable.
Richard said, “I’ve gained a lot of strength from being in contact with other families who are going through a situation. “
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