Get mother Nathanin Zagari-Rutcliffe Saying that her seven-year-old daughter accepted the bravery award on her behalf made her “heart melted.”
Gabriella read a speech written by her mother, who remained in Iran almost six years after being arrested and imprisoned.
Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe, British——Iranian Dual citizenship has been recognized by the Magnitsky Prize for Human Rights.
Her husband Richard recently went on a hunger strike for 21 days to draw attention to his wife’s case. He said his family was “very proud” of the honor.
Represented her to accept the “Courage under Fire” award at the event London On Thursday night, Gabriela read her mother’s words.
She said: “Thank you for winning this award. It means a lot to me and my inmates who are still in Avon Prison. We have not been forgotten.
“Seeing that my daughter is now big enough to accept this award and read these words, my heart melts.
“Maybe one day we live in a world where we don’t need to fight for freedom. But thank you all for walking by our side while we still need to fight this fight, and still reminding us that freedom is getting closer and closer to us. .”
Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe was arrested in Iran in 2016 when she was about to fly back to the UK, when she took Gabriella, who was less than two years old at the time, to see relatives.
She was accused of planning to overthrow the Iranian government and was sentenced to five years in prison, spent four years in Evan prison, and was placed under house arrest for one year.
She stayed in Iran at her parents’ home, the appeal against her recent conviction was rejected, and has consistently denied all charges against her.
Britain’s historic £400 million debt to Tehran-related to the cancellation of orders for 1,500 Chief Tanks dating back to the 1970s-is related to the detention of her and other British-Iranian dual nationals detained in the country.
Before the award, Mr. Ratcliffe said: “Nazannin is very happy to hear this award, for herself, and for all other people who are detained in Iran but you cannot hear.
“The Iranian regime has escaped terrible crimes, which are raging in the darkness of accountability.”
Our whole family is very proud of this award
These awards are named after a Russian lawyer, Sergei Magnitsky He exposed large-scale tax fraud in his country and died in prison after providing evidence against corrupt officials.
The so-called Magnitsky sanctions target those responsible for human rights violations or corruption.
Mr. Ratcliffe added: “We are even more encouraged by the global Magnitsky Justice Movement’s recognition of this danger and the role of Magnitsky sanctions in challenging Iran’s hostage-taking.
“Our whole family is very proud of this award.”
He told the PA News Agency that this recognition was a “cute surprise” for his wife, “knowing that other people care, you can see your injustice, and know that you are not alone”.
He added that she is “the proud mother of the girl she is growing up”.
Rupert Skilbeck, the head of the human rights organization Redress, who was involved in the campaign to bring Mrs. Zaghari-Ratcliffe back to the UK, said that she “endured unbearable pain in Iran”.
He added: “This award is a timely reminder of the resilience and courage shown by many torture survivors in the face of the most brutal human rights violations.
“In recognizing this, we must never forget that survivors should and must receive justice and compensation.
“The British government can and must impose Magnitsky sanctions on those responsible for Nazanin’s suffering.”
Bill Browder, head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Movement and Chief Executive Officer of Hermitage Capital Management, said: “Nazanin has bravely endured an unbelievable and unjust situation with grace and courage.
“No one should be placed in such a situation, but despite the pressure, she has proven how powerful she can be even in the most powerless situations.
“Her hostage-takers should understand that their crimes will not go unpunished.”
