In recent years institutional kidnappings and "show" trials of American citizens by anti-Washington governments, such as the Andrew Berends matter in Nigeria, Euna Lee and Laura Ling case in North Korea, the Roxana Saberi case in Iran, and my case in Nicaragua have either become more common, or news desks have simply started reporting them with increasing frequency. As each of our cases played out, we were referred to as "criminal defendants" by the host country's government, but in reality, we were hostages -- valuable leverage chips in the eyes of our captors. In each of these cases, it was not until defense efforts were able to tip our status from asset to liability that we were freed.
The case of American hikers, Josh Fattal, Sarah Shourd, and Shane Bauer, currently held hostage by the Iranian government, has struck especially close to home. It is widely acknowledged that they are being detained for political purposes that have nothing to do with the facts of their case. No charge against them has been presented in a court of law. They have been denied access to their lawyer as Iran flagrantly politicizes the case. Make no mistake; they are hostages, not "criminal defendants." The crime is being committed by their captors.
As they approach one year in captivity, my stomach turns. I, unfortunately, have my own memory of what a one-year anniversary at the center of a political crisis feels like. In 2006, while living in Nicaragua, I learned that my ex-girlfriend had been found dead in her clothing boutique - brutally beaten, raped, and strangled. Two days later, I found myself wrongfully accused of her murder, imprisoned, and ultimately sentenced to 30 years. I suffered subhuman conditions, illness, deadly riots, a lynch mob, sadistic guards, and merciless torture at the hands of Nicaraguan officials who enjoyed using my case as a political touchstone in backroom negotiations with Washington. It wasn't until a former CIA operative was able to bend the arms of the power actors involved that my case went from being an asset, to a liability, for Nicaraguan president Daniel Ortega. I was freed in December 2007, after spending more than a year in a maximum-security prison.
For many Americans the realities of terror, oppression, abuse, and injustice are kept far from their door. In fact, when such events occur there is typically a steep learning curve for the families and friends of those in trouble. Initial decisions may have long-term and far-reaching consequences. Families frequently face barriers with language, culture, legal and political systems, infrastructure deficiencies and/or other obstacles. Furthermore, these families need to garner popular support and appeal to the appropriate U.S. Government representatives who may have special experience or contacts in a particular host country. Fortunately, for Josh, Sarah, and Shane, their families have learned quickly and seem to be taking the right steps, but they can't solve this crisis alone.
Josh, Sarah, and Shane's personal dignity must be kept as high as possible. They must hold tight to the idea that they are in prison, but the prison is not in them. They cannot give up. I assure you that, despite the fair reaches of pain and suffering, your support is encouraging and shielding them as they wait. While on a recent phone call with Josh Fattal's brother, Alex, he confirmed to me that Josh, Sarah, and Shane's spirits were lifted when they first heard of the thousands shaking their fists in the name of their freedom. Popular support might not be what brings about their release from prison, but it directly contributes to their survival in prison.
I would not be writing this today had it not been for the dogged persistence and tireless support of family, friends, and complete strangers, who rallied for my release. I recall sitting in my cell when a compassionate letter from a complete stranger would bring me back from the depths of despair. I also remember lying awake at night imagining what it must have been like at a fundraiser or vigil that was being held at the same moment, thousands of miles away, in the name of my freedom. The mobilization of my supporters protected me in miraculous ways.
Josh, Sarah, and Shane's case has everything to do with you! When we, as a global neighborhood, shine a light on the actors abusing power, the space in which these perpetrators operate becomes narrow, and they will think twice before committing the same crime in the same way. There is no question that avalanching the truth through social networks has more power than any of us could ever have imagined. I am living proof that you can help these young Americans.
Join the hikers' mothers, their friends, and I in a protest outside of the Iranian Mission to the United Nations (40th St. and Third Ave.) in New York City on July 30 between 12:30 and 2pm.
Eric Volz, author of the acclaimed Gringo Nightmare, lectures professionally on international cases complicated by diplomatic tensions. He has been featured on The Today Show, CNN, NBC News, PBS, Telemundo and Univision, New York Times, Washington Post, WSJ, People, E! Network and NPR.
(If they are, they might as well take the whole laundry list of names with them, some Israeli citizens, some the non-citizens forced to live under Israeli law with no say in how that law is written or enforced)
The trial became a trial by public outrage and the local media in Nicaragua ran away with it, fueled by anti-American sentiments. This is a case of a weak justice system seeking to nail a convenient scapegoat to dissipate the public rage for a vicious and meaningless crime committed by a horrible person who still hasn't been caught, due to the kangaroo trial of Eric Volz.
Eric must have had a very bad time, being accused and despised by so many for such an awful crime of which he was not the perpetrator. Luckily his family and friends stayed close, because a man can begin to forget who he is, when so many people are trying to define his character according to their own prejudiced notions of who he must be, as it has been fed to them by a flawed justice system and media without journalistic integrity.
I'm not one of Eric's oldest friends, but guys who are old friends of his are childhood friends of mine. Everyone who knows Eric knows he is incapable of such a crime.
In the Dateline interview and accompanying footage, observe his sincere answers, his calm, non-evasive demeanor, look at his arrival back home in Nashville when he is greeted by his mother. Finally, observe his demeanor as a pall-bearer. He's upright yet somber, and he's chosen to be among the mourners.
Some expected to see Eric emotionally devastated at Doris' funeral. Doris was Eric's ex-girlfriend whom he'd been separated from for some time. Eric is not the most emotionally expressive type of guy. Clearly, Doris' loss was felt deeply by her mother that day.
In my opinion, the emotional impact of Doris' murder had not yet sunk in for Eric and he had not yet begun to really feel emotional impact of her loss. That very day, he was declared the suspect and he never had time to mourn after that, as his own survival became the focus of his attention.
The real question is - do they deserve to be in a prison in Iran for this? Americans are brought up with the concept of free speech as being an inaliable right. As it should be. So, if there is a way for your (the US) government to get them out - should you? Would you be defending the rights accorded your citizens all through your own constitution.
Seems to me there is so much disinformation about this case, that you all have resorted to calling each other names. Whilst a proof of your right to freedom of speech, this seems counter-productive. Ask yourselves the key question: if it was me, what would I want for myself? And take it from there.
I apologize quite out in the open for maligning the Iranian flag, which I have just learned is not the same as the Republic of Iranian flag.
I do NOT apologize for having a friend in Ireland, however, and always hope for his well being.
He does nothing save his meager work and helps others as often as he can as best he can, and for that gets my respect.
As does TeeSC, who also has my respect, for whatever that is worth. (I am rather small, even though 6'5")
My concern is for these...people...in prison.
Nothing is more paramount than that as far as public commenting goes. Nothing.
Thank you gracious woman.
What is true for you and others like you who are imprisoned by foreign governments is equally true for the Palestinian people in Israel and the Occupied Territories that are supposed to belong to the Palestinians: They are in prison and the whole world is watching what is going on. At the same time, the U.S. government under President Obama continues to play Realpolitik and continue the financial and military support of the Israeli government's deplorable actions against the Palestinian people. It's way past time for this to stop. So I call for an online effort on behalf of the Palestinian people who are in the open prisons of Gaza, the West Bank, Jerusalem and other towns and villages, and in Israeli prisons. This nightmarish activity must stop!
http://freemarc.ca/
One is an Iranian born American playing as their translator? SINCE WHEN?
"The case of American hikers, Josh Fattal, Sarah Shourd, and Shane Bauer, currently held hostage by the Iranian government, has struck especially close to home. [1] It is widely acknowledged that they are being detained for political purposes that have nothing to do with the facts of their case. [2] No charge against them has been presented in a court of law. [3] They have been denied access to their lawyer as Iran flagrantly politicizes the case. Make no mistake; they are hostages, not "criminal defendants." The crime is being committed by their captors." (numbers added for references as to how many lies you've made).
Iran has held, since their capture, that they were caught for espionage, charged and tried accordingly. There has been no change of story and zero evidence to refute this claim. Nowhere, besides between you and your cohorts, does anyone "widely acknowledge" that the hikers were taken for purely political purposes.
Further, they have been tried and convicted in a court of law, with access to their lawyer. In addition, these so-called "hostages" have gotten engaged in jail and seen their mothers.
In other words, this article belongs on the field along with the other things the large animals leave behind. ;)
The Iranian gov't is giving you these talking points, so you can spam this thread, aren't they???
So now Iran is allowed to accuse you of anything that comes to their mind and you have to prove to them you didn't do it or you get sent to jail? How about they prove you did it first? Such a backwards legal system!
http://www.thenation.com/article/36562/us-hikers-were-seized-iraq
Just because you think they are spies doesn't make it so.