My name is Shahla. I am requesting the aid of Massachusetts' senators to facilitate the issuance of humanitarian parole to my family members and include them in the list of evacuation flights. Please add your signature to help me convince the senators to bring my family to safety. This is my story:

I am 24 years old and am an Afghan refugee currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. Following the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, I had to flee my country, leaving behind everything and everyone I loved, including my family members. Back in Afghanistan, I was a human rights activist and defender. All my efforts focused on increasing the meaningful participation of women in different spheres of society as well as helping underprivileged children in the streets of Kabul. I had some significant achievements there. I have always tried my best to stand against oppression and injustice. Currently, I am working as a teacher in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

As you know, due to the recent developments in Afghanistan, the country is now having its darkest era following the regime change and the collapse of the country to the Taliban. All the achievements of the past two decades are being destroyed and the most basic rights, including the right to live, work and receive an education are being denied and ignored. Hundreds of people are captured, tortured, and killed daily by the Taliban.

After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, I managed to flee from my country, but unfortunately without my family members. I lost my mother 3 months ago. She died of a brain stroke, mainly due to severe lack of resources and stress from me leaving and the Taliban firing her from her career as a judge. My younger brother, who was having his worst days of his life following the aforementioned events, was dragged into a sudden and unexpected argument. One day, he noticed a loud and strident argument in his neighborhood. When he went to find out about what was going on, he found a Taliban member violently beating his wife and children. He intervened and stopped the man from beating his family. They start fighting and as the man went to get his gun to kill them all, my brother managed to escape. He is hiding now in an undisclosed location. After that, the Taliban put my father and uncle in jail and broke my uncle’s feet. I am so worried about the safety of my family members.  Whenever I think of my family, I feel frustrated, desperate, and helpless.

Thank you for your support and consideration,

Shahla