Support Afghan journalist couple seeking safety in Canada
Canada
After weeks in hiding, after the Taliban takeover last August, Brishna—an Afghan female journalist, decided to step out with her husband Omar, also a journalist, to take their eight-month-old baby to the clinic. Covered head-to-toe, they walked in brisk steps to and forth from the clinic hoping to avoid detection from the Taliban militants who were swarming the streets of Kabul since they took control of the Afghan capital on August 15.
They had barely walked a few hundred meters, when a Taliban fighters, spotted them. He recognised Omar, having threatened him previously, for his work exposing the Taliban’s atrocities in his investigative reports. He screamed at the couple, raised his leather whip and began beating them. While Brishna instinctively ran in one direction, Omar, who was holding their baby, cowered to shield the child, and received several blows.
For more than a year now, Brishna and Omar, who’s names have been changed to protect their identity, have been on the run; constantly moving, shifting, hiding, to escape the Taliban persecution. The husband and wife journalist duo are at extreme risk, already having been attacked and threatened, for the work they had done under the last government to promote democratic values, and expose the Taliban’s atrocities.
While Omar worked with the Afghan as well as international media, on investigative pieces detailing the Taliban’s criminal economy, Brishna covered stories of Afghan women and the challenges they faced in a patriarchal society. The media company they worked at even had contracts with US, German and Hungarian military which added to the risks they face. Their office had also been targeted by rockets just weeks before the takeover.
Both had spent many years contributing to Afghanistan’s media landscape, upholding values of freedom and equality, building a country for their children that they never had. The young couple had no intention of leaving the nation that they worked so hard to build, at great personal risks, threats and dodging several attacks on them and their office by the militants.
But all that changed, overnight, last year on August 15, when the Afghan republic government collapsed, taking down with it all the democratic institutions, laws and constitution. As the Taliban seized control, their work an efforts crumbled, leaving their lives and future at risk.
While they have been receiving regular threats, their family members and colleagues were picked up for questioning about the couple’s whereabouts. After facing increasing risks, with a heavy heart Brishna and Omar made the decision to leave their homeland, for the sake of their children, and are currently hiding in a neighbouring country seeking for safe asylum to a third country.
They have so far, however, struggled to get asylum with any of the countries that they provided support to in Afghanistan. Recently, however, they were able to secure an opportunity for the Canada’s Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) through an organisation called Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and Global Alliance on Gender and Media (GAMAG).
Brishna and Omar are among the journalists who can be helped through this programme. However, the cost of sponsoring their case is beyond the means of the humble family who are no longer able to make a living. A total of CAD$40,000 ($US 29,000 approx) is required to be put aside in a trust fund for a family of five before we can start their application through SAH.
Together, CWLR and GAMAG we were also able to raise $10,000 from friends and colleagues. We have also reached out several other organisations as well to raise the funds. However, we are still short of nearly $15,000.
Any amount that you can contribute will be received with so much gratitude to helping this deserving family resettle to a safe country where they can’t raise their children. Brishna and Omar are among the most hardworking, committed and loyal people who will be such a worthy addition to their new country and will certainly contribute manifolds to the society.
PHOTO SELECTION:
Below are a selection of photos by Omar as well as those generously donated by renowned Afghan photographer Farzana Wahidy and the American photojournalist Ivan Flores. These photos are available for a donation of above $150. Please select it under one of the perks and let us know the photo of your choice and it will be shipped to you soon.
1. Mazar by Farzana Wahidy
2. School by Ivan Flores
3. Mazar Women by Farzana Wahidy
4. Traveller by Omar
5. Mountains by Ivan Flores
6. Sundown by Omar
7. Bread by Ivan Flores
Est. Delivery Date: Within 60 days
-
$15,000.00
Funding Goal -
$0.00
Funds Raised -
0
Days to go -
Campaign Never Ends
Campaign End Method
Product Description
Canada
After weeks in hiding, after the Taliban takeover last August, Brishna—an Afghan female journalist, decided to step out with her husband Omar, also a journalist, to take their eight-month-old baby to the clinic. Covered head-to-toe, they walked in brisk steps to and forth from the clinic hoping to avoid detection from the Taliban militants who were swarming the streets of Kabul since they took control of the Afghan capital on August 15.
They had barely walked a few hundred meters, when a Taliban fighters, spotted them. He recognised Omar, having threatened him previously, for his work exposing the Taliban’s atrocities in his investigative reports. He screamed at the couple, raised his leather whip and began beating them. While Brishna instinctively ran in one direction, Omar, who was holding their baby, cowered to shield the child, and received several blows.
For more than a year now, Brishna and Omar, who’s names have been changed to protect their identity, have been on the run; constantly moving, shifting, hiding, to escape the Taliban persecution. The husband and wife journalist duo are at extreme risk, already having been attacked and threatened, for the work they had done under the last government to promote democratic values, and expose the Taliban’s atrocities.
While Omar worked with the Afghan as well as international media, on investigative pieces detailing the Taliban’s criminal economy, Brishna covered stories of Afghan women and the challenges they faced in a patriarchal society. The media company they worked at even had contracts with US, German and Hungarian military which added to the risks they face. Their office had also been targeted by rockets just weeks before the takeover.
Both had spent many years contributing to Afghanistan’s media landscape, upholding values of freedom and equality, building a country for their children that they never had. The young couple had no intention of leaving the nation that they worked so hard to build, at great personal risks, threats and dodging several attacks on them and their office by the militants.
But all that changed, overnight, last year on August 15, when the Afghan republic government collapsed, taking down with it all the democratic institutions, laws and constitution. As the Taliban seized control, their work an efforts crumbled, leaving their lives and future at risk.
While they have been receiving regular threats, their family members and colleagues were picked up for questioning about the couple’s whereabouts. After facing increasing risks, with a heavy heart Brishna and Omar made the decision to leave their homeland, for the sake of their children, and are currently hiding in a neighbouring country seeking for safe asylum to a third country.
They have so far, however, struggled to get asylum with any of the countries that they provided support to in Afghanistan. Recently, however, they were able to secure an opportunity for the Canada’s Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) through an organisation called Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) and Global Alliance on Gender and Media (GAMAG).
Brishna and Omar are among the journalists who can be helped through this programme. However, the cost of sponsoring their case is beyond the means of the humble family who are no longer able to make a living. A total of CAD$40,000 ($US 29,000 approx) is required to be put aside in a trust fund for a family of five before we can start their application through SAH.
Together, CWLR and GAMAG we were also able to raise $10,000 from friends and colleagues. We have also reached out several other organisations as well to raise the funds. However, we are still short of nearly $15,000.
Any amount that you can contribute will be received with so much gratitude to helping this deserving family resettle to a safe country where they can’t raise their children. Brishna and Omar are among the most hardworking, committed and loyal people who will be such a worthy addition to their new country and will certainly contribute manifolds to the society.
PHOTO SELECTION:
Below are a selection of photos by Omar as well as those generously donated by renowned Afghan photographer Farzana Wahidy and the American photojournalist Ivan Flores. These photos are available for a donation of above $150. Please select it under one of the perks and let us know the photo of your choice and it will be shipped to you soon.
1. Mazar by Farzana Wahidy
2. School by Ivan Flores
3. Mazar Women by Farzana Wahidy
4. Traveller by Omar
5. Mountains by Ivan Flores
6. Sundown by Omar
7. Bread by Ivan Flores
Est. Delivery Date: Within 60 days
| ID | Name | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1244 | Listing Agent | [email protected] | |
| 1215 | Listing Agent | [email protected] |
