There has been a lot of news in the past week concerning Dr. Kylie Moore-Gilbert’s movement out of notorious Qarchak prison. It’s been a stressful time for her friends and family. The Free Kylie campaign has confirmed her return to Evin prison, though it doesn’t signify any progress in her case.
News of her movement from Qarchak prison at the end of October generated hopes for her release, only for those hopes to be shattered as she disappeared into the Iranian prison system, her location unknown for six days. Despite the relief at her reappearance this does not signify any progress in her case – indeed, she is quite literally back where she started in September 2018.
As Dr Moore-Gilbert’s return to Evin prison was confirmed the Free Kylie campaign issued the following statement:
“Kylie is very familiar with Evin prison, having already spent nearly two years there in solitary confinement. Although it is a physically safer facility than Qarchak prison where she was held for the past three months, she is thought to be detained in a section of Evin known as Ward 2a. Prison cells in 2a have no mattresses and span just 2m x 3m. Lights are kept on 24 hours a day.”
It is heartbreaking to imagine what it must feel like for Dr Moore-Gilbert to return to Evin prison. She has been captive for nearly 800 days and freedom still seems very far away.
It is clear that quiet diplomacy is not working and stronger action is needed from Australian leaders. Dr Moore-Gilbert does not deserve to endure the physical, psychological and mental torture she’s been subjected to for over two years now.
Marise Payne’s personal intervention and swift response to the terrible strip-search ordeal that 13 Australian women were recently forced to endure in Qatar has resulted in an apology from Qatar’s PM and an investigation into the incident. We call upon her to prioritise Dr Moore-Gilbert’s life in a similar manner to urgently make progress with her case.