Thanks to your support, we are overjoyed to share that three Afghan women human rights defenders (WHRDs) and their families (in total 6 people) have now safely arrived in Brazil. The photo above shows the second group of 4 people that arrived today (July 13). The first family of 2 people arrived on Thursday (July 10). Each arrival is a testament to the strength of collective action—your signatures, your donations, your voices. Together, we’re not only moving people across borders, but also restoring dignity and hope.
Your solidarity also made it possible to save a life.
Lida, a courageous mother of two whose husband and brother were both lost, was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of kidney cancer. With your help, we secured emergency surgery for her in time. She is now in recovery. What stood out was the sheer humanity of the group—people of our group lined up at the hospital to donate blood, offer words of encouragement, and simply show up. This is what solidarity looks like.
But we must be honest: the road ahead is still incredibly difficult.
The situation in Pakistan remains dangerously unstable. We are now seeing a new obstacle: Pakistani visas and exit permits are increasingly being denied, following a recent political statement by the Indian Foreign Minister expressing “friendship” with the Afghan people. This gesture has led to increased scrutiny and stalled processes for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
This new hurdle was painfully clear in a recent direct call between Afghan WHRDs and petition supporters, which you can watch here:
👉 https://youtu.be/i4pfKu1M9RA
We ask you to continue supporting this movement.
Please give if you can—and share this petition with others. Together, we can keep this flame of hope alive.
💸 Donations:
Name: HeartWork Stichting
https://heartwork.earth/peacework/
🤝 Connect directly
If you want to speak with the Afghan WHRDs currently in the program, we’ve opened a few intimate online conversation spaces. Hear their voices. See their courage. Sign up here: https://calendly.com/nadja-muller/afghan-whrd-direct-talk
Lida still needs ongoing medical treatment. And we are working around the clock to help the next group of women and their families leave Pakistan before it’s too late. Your donations make this possible.
We leave you with a line from Rumi that speaks to the heart of our cause:
“The wound is where the light enters you.”
In the pain these women have endured—the loss, the exile, the fear—something extraordinary is emerging. Through your solidarity, that wound is being tended. Through your action, the light is entering.
With gratitude,
Nadja & Team
in solidarity with Afghan WHRDs