Dear Friends
We wanted to share an update with you about Joe’s meeting with parliamentarians last week. Joe’s MP Tony Vaughan KC (pictured above with Joe) and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Arbitrary Detention and Hostage affairs invited him to host a session for parliamentarians from all parties. Joe shared his concerns about the escalating violence in Evin prison during the current unrest, the human rights abuses they have been subjected to for over a year and their ongoing arbitrary detention in ever more horrific conditions, some of which Lindsay shared in a TV interview from Evin prison that was screened last Thursday.
The UK Government's current "wait and see" approach is not working. While countries like France and Germany have secured the release of their citizens through assertive intervention, the UK approach is to wait for the outcome of a so-called judicial process. But nothing is happening - Lindsay and Craig’s bail application has been ignored, there has been no sentencing and they now find themselves without legal representation as their state-appointed lawyer has told them he is no longer available to them.
Joe is asking that the UK Government formally declare the detention of Lindsay and Craig Foreman as Arbitrary Detention. This is not a symbolic label. Formally naming this crime:
- Unlocks Diplomatic Levers: shifting the case to diplomatic priority.
- Ends the "Judicial Deference" Trap: stops respecting a sham judicial process that is transparently a political instrument.
- Applies Necessary Pressure: forcing a strategic plan for their immediate release.
Please do take action to support them.
We are seeking to significantly increase the numbers on our petition in order to demonstrate the weight of the British public’s support for them. Lindsay and Craig would be so grateful for any help you can offer whether its;
- donating to support their family in their efforts to fight for their release
- growing the petition numbers by sharing with friends
- writing to your mp
- or more generally spreading the word
These actions will all help to raise their plight up the agenda and push for action to bring them home.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support,
from the Friends and Family of Lindsay and Craig