Families of US Hikers Observe More Sad Milestones

Posted by | May 31, 2010 21:41 | Filed under: Top Stories


By The River Wanders

Families of three American hikers detained in Iran – Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Josh Fattal – watched several frustrating milestones go by in recent days. Held since July 31, 2009, the friends may have crossed an unmarked border while hiking in Iraq; the trio remains in Evin Prison on suspicions of espionage.

Mothers of the hikers spent a lonely Mother’s Day without their children; shortly after, the Iranian government issued visas granting them permission to visit Sarah, Shane, and Josh. Hopes were high that Iran might allow the hikers to leave at the end of that visit, but those hopes were dashed as the women returned alone.

Since then, groups working on behalf of the hikers – FreeTheHikers.org and ASafeWorldForWomen.org – have marked the passing of two more discouraging milestones. They noted first that 300 days of imprisonment had passed, and today, noted that 10 months of imprisonment had now passed. Recently, hopes were buoyed by the much-sought-after release of two Iranians from Iraqi custody; however, Iranian ambassador Hassan Kazemi Qomi insists that the three Americans will remain in the custody of the Iranian judiciary.

Undaunted, more and more people continue to press for the trio’s release; supporters at AsafeWorldForWomen.org make films about the situation, and FreeTheHikers.org now has a companion blog featuring posts on the topic of freedom.

One joyous occasion has managed to find its way into the lives of these beleaguered people: Shane Bauer proposed to fellow hiker Sarah Shourd during their mothers’ visit. When this ordeal is resolved there will be many reasons to celebrate.

Being lost isn’t a crime.

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Copyright 2010 Liberaland
By: TheRiverWanders

Independent parent, aspiring author and generally good egg with an occasional foul temper whose deepest curiosities lie in psychology, law, government, history, equal rights, animal rights and child development. Progressive. Allergic to stupid.

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