The True Story of the Citgo6
The story of the CITGO 6 is one of tragedy, injustice, and perseverance. In November 2017, six American oil executives were arrested by the Venezuelan tyranny and accused of espionage, treason, corruption, and embezzlement. Despite their innocence, these men were imprisoned for five years without a fair trial. Despite the harsh conditions they faced, the CITGO 6 never lost hope.
Ended
MY JOURNEY TO ASSIST TO THE NYC 78th UN General Assembly Forum hosted by HOSTAGE AID WORLDWIDE
In the heart of New York City, on September 18th, I had the profound privilege of participating in the Forum Battling Hostage Diplomacy, organized by Hostage Aid Worldwide in conjunction with the 78th United Nations General Assembly.
This critical gathering took place in the historic Harvard Club, where global leaders and passionate individuals convened to address the pressing issue of international politics.
Hostage taking and arbitrary detention have become an alarming global concern, with a significant rise in cases of hostage diplomacy.
These actions, often with international implications, transcend borders and affect people from all corners of the world. It is imperative that we unite against nations that employ citizens as bargaining chips to gain leverage in international affairs.
It is a risk that knows no boundaries and poses a threat to all of humanity.
At the heart of this forum, I took part in Panel 2:
Hostages & Families: Global Similarities & Shared Experiences.
This panel brought together former hostages and family members who have endured the trials of hostage situations.
We shared our stories, challenges, and experiences with our respective governments, highlighting the importance of information-sharing and the support of the global community.
The esteemed panelists included:
- Ali Arab: Board member of Hostage Aid Worldwide and an Associate Professor of Statistics at Georgetown University.
- Jose Pereira: A member of the CITGO6, a group of Americans wrongfully detained and held captive in Venezuela for five years. -
Debra Tice: Mother of American journalist Austin Tice, unjustly detained in Syria since August 2012.
- Gazelle Sharmahd: Daughter of German-American Jamshid Sharmahd, who was kidnapped in Dubai and taken to Iran, where he was sentenced to death.
- Richard Ratcliff: Husband of Iranian British Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was taken hostage by Iran in 2016.
Our collective mission was clear – to urge all United Nations member countries to unite and take a strong, unified stance against the hostage business model.
The voices of hostages and their families have never been more united, transcending borders, languages, and cultures. In a world filled with challenges, it's through such gatherings that we can begin to address the complex issue of hostage diplomacy and work towards a more secure and compassionate global society.
Together, we can stand against this global threat, protect the innocent, and make the world a safer place for all. #HostageAidWorldwide #UNGA #HostageDiplomacy