There is a debate in the House of Commons today – on Tuesday 16th November – about the future of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and the urgent campaign to bring her home.
As many of you will know, Nazanin has been detained in Iran for five years on spying charges and lost an appeal against a second jail sentence in October.
She was arrested there in 2016 while taking her daughter to see her family, and was accused of plotting to overthrow the government. She served four years of a five-year sentence in Evin prison in Tehran, and one under house arrest.
Nazanin’s husband, Richard, recently ended a hunger strike that went on for 21 days, which aimed to draw attention to his wife’s plight.
During this period I went to speak with Richard as he stood outside the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. I was in awe of his strength, humility and “can do” attitude even in extremely difficult situations.
The Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary simply aren’t doing enough to help this innocent woman and to bring her back home.
I know so many people across Pontypridd and Taff Ely care deeply about this situation, and I am hoping to speak in the debate today to raise these concerns.
Either way, the whole family has my full and enduring support. It is vital that the UK Government steps in to #FreeNazanin once and for all.
