After seven years unjustly behind bars, Colombian HRD David Ravelo Crespo walked free this month. The end of his imprisonment is a tribute to his determination and integrity, and an inspiration for all those working to protect human rights defenders. Throughout his incarceration, David refused to accept any pardon predicated upon an admission of guilt, insisting instead on clearing his name of the false accusations. He has vowed to continue his legal battle outside of prison, to prove that the conviction was manufactured to silence his human rights work protecting the rights of Colombia’s most persecuted people.
Since 2011, when David became a Front Line Defenders "long-term case" in recognition of the lengthy prison sentence he received, we have worked together with his family and colleagues to campaign for his release. In 2015 we organised a visit to David in prison by former Irish Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore. His advocacy contributed significantly to getting David moved to a prison in 2016 closer to his family. Eamon Gilmore is currently the EU Envoy to the Colombia Peace Process.
In 2012, Front Line Defenders partnered with Colombian human rights organization MOVICE for a radio public service announcement (PSA) campaign, aimed at increasing the public awareness of the risks and threats that HRDs in the country face. David's case was one of 6 featured in the campaign. In 2013, 2015 and 2016 Front Line Defenders visited David in prison, to consult with the HRD and express solidarity. Front Line Defenders also helped support the publication of a book of poems that David wrote during his incarceration, which was published in Colombia.
It is a constant struggle to sustain public attention on those human rights defenders unjustly sentenced to long prison terms. Once whatever appeals process is exhausted, it is difficult to sustain the interest of diplomats or journalists. And yet we know that sustained pressure is the only hope for their release and crucial to sustain the morale of their friends and family as well as for the HRDs themselves.
Just this week, we learned that Chinese HRD Liu Xiaobo was granted a medical parole on account of his suffering from terminal cancer - a condition he developed during over 8 years in prison. While much remains uncertain about his condition and the status of the amnesty - including conditions for his wife, Liu Xia, who has been under house arrest for the years her husband has been imprisoned - this much is known: the spirit and strength Liu Xiaobo exhibited during his trial and imprisonment will stand as a constant reminder to the authoritarian regime in Beijing that HRDs have an indomitable spirit that cannot be shackled or broken.
Liu Xiabo and Liu Xia before their imprisonment.
Azimjan Askarov is serving a life sentence in prison in Kyrgyzstan following brutal torture, the fabrication of murder charges (which the Kyryz Ombudsman described as politically motivated), and an unfair trial. Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja was detained, tortured and subjected to a show trial in Bahrain in 2011 and also given a life sentence.
Atena Daemi is a human rights defender who has advocated for the rights of children in Kobane and Gaza, for women's rights and against capital punishment. She is now serving a seven year prison sentence in Iran’s Evin Prison.
Atena, Azimjan and Abdulhadi have been unrelenting in their work for the rights of the vulnerable, despite knowing well the dire consequences of challenging the powerful. We, too, must therefore be relentless in our support for HRDs enduring long prison terms. As we celebrate David's freedom, we will redouble our efforts to bring pressure upon the relevant authorities to free human rights defenders still serving extremely long sentences. We will continue to highlight the injustice of their cases and to support their families and colleagues.
Like David, we will persevere.
