As I try to find words compelling enough to explain the ornate nature of these men and women that have earned the title “Prisoners of Conscience,” I struggle. My hope is that you will take a moment of your day to pray, write, or advocate support for a prisoner of conscience as they defend the human rights of others. I have become adamant in my support of prisoners of conscience all over the world. Recently, I have been reinvigorated and give optimism after listening to 2012 Nobel Lecture by Aung San Suu Kyi in Oslo, Norway[1] Aung San Suu Kyi speech gives hope to other prisoners of conscience around the world as she addresses the issues that engulf their lives.
Even now, in the 21st century, we see individuals who in protesting against governments suffer dire consequences of imprisonment, malicious physical abuse, negative economic impacts, and ridicule. It has become painfully apparent that, throughout history, humanity has condemned individuals and groups that fight for human rights. It becomes civil war when governments are unyielding and unwilling to conform. In Syria and Bahrain we see the impact that government has on its people as they brutally demand control by dissolution of their homes, lives, livelihood, and civil rights.
Three cases: two men and a woman reveal their unique struggles for freedom
In the case of prominent Syrian human rights activist Noura Aljizawi — who was a member of the Syrian Revolution General Commission, Flash News Network, and worked with the Syrian newspaper Hurriyat — her forced disappearance was the first time she was called a prisoner of conscience. Noura was abducted by the Syrian security forces on March 28, 2012, as she was going to a transit depot, and has yet to return. Noura, a 24-year-old peaceful protester, helped organize and promote nonviolent protests, and was accused of “calling for” and “participating in” so-called “illegal gatherings.” At the time of her arrest, she was carrying papers, cameras, and phones that were being used in preparation for nonviolent protests and reporting activities. Twelve activists were arrested after Noura was taken, and some are still being held. Noura is also still being held in detention, where her lawyers and family have been unable to talk or see her freely.
Another case is a friend of mine, Nabeel Rajab, a nonviolent Bahraini prisoner of conscience who has been struggling with the Bahraini government for more then a decade now. Nabeel — the president of the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR), director of the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR), vice-president of the International Federation for Human Rights, and a member of MENA Advisory Board for Human Rights Watch — is now serving time in jail for one thing or another. Nabeel is a decorated veteran of human rights and has received numerous awards, like the Ion Ratiu Democracy Award, and won the British Silbury Prize for his humanitarian and human rights activities. And yet his government is persecuting him for “calling for” and “participating in” (once again) so-called “illegal gatherings” while performing his work for human rights.
Nabeel once sent me a version of the historic freedom song “We Shall Overcome” [2] it made me think of the long list of freedom fighters in America who have done the same thing in the name of human rights.
Lastly, in that context, I must mention Martin Luther King, Jr. an African-American prisoner of conscience in the 1960s. Dr. King was a clergyman, activist, prominent leader in the African-American-led movement for civil rights, and Nobel Peace Prize winner[3] . He was also charged with “calling for” and “participating in” so-called “illegal gatherings,” like the two modern-day activists named above. Dr. King was arrested countless times and subjected to incarceration, physical violence, and government harassment, and he suffered these threats continuously until he was martyred at age 39 on April 4, 1968.
It was only then when we gained full insight into his “Dream” and our loss. Before his death he laid out a very complex and complicated plan to change our lives forever by bring civil rights to all of us equally. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day annually (observed each January), I wonder what he would think if he knew there was a National holiday named after him and his deeds.
“The moment we stop fighting for each other, that’s the moment we lose our humanity.” Please join our letter-writing campaign to free Syrian Prisoners of Conscience sponsored by the Fellowship of Reconciliation.
[1] Nobel Lecture Aung San Suu Kyi, Oslo, Norway — June 16, 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRYyEk-5zoI&feature=related
[2] Pete Seeger — “We shall overcome”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhnPVP23rzo&feature=youtu.be
[3] Nobel Peace Prize recipient Martin Luther King http://www.nobelprize.org/mediaplayer/index.php?id=1562&view=1
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