Today, in breach of international law, refugee Iman Al-Obeidi was forcibly deported to Libya. She fears for her life and safety.
Iman Al-Obeidi made headlines in March 2011 when she burst into a hotel full of foreign journalists, screaming that she had been kidnapped at a checkpoint by Qadafi forces, along with other women, gang raped and tortured. She was covered in bruises, her face scratched, her wrists and ankles showing obvious binding marks.
The US State Department has said that it is "disappointed" that Qatar was pressured into returning Iman against her will. But is the US going to do anything about it?
Tell your representatives: offer Iman al-Obeidi status as a refugee in the United States. Stand with women all over the world - we are all Iman al-Obeidi.
We, the undersigned.
On June 3, in breach of international law, refugee Iman Al-Obeidi was forcibly deported to Libya. She fears for her life and safety.
Iman Al-Obeidi made headlines in March 2011 when she burst into a hotel full of foreign journalists, screaming that she had been kidnapped at a checkpoint by Qadafi forces, along with other women, gang raped and tortured. She was covered in bruises, her face scratched, her wrists and ankles showing obvious binding marks.
The Libyan government has tried to discredit Iman, calling her a drunk, a prostitute and mentally ill. She is none of those things - she is an articulate lawyer who has risked her life to give a voice to those men and women who are being tortured and abused under Qadafi's brutal regime. She was placed under house arrest where she was beaten every time she attempted to talk to the press, until she was granted leave to travel outside of Libya. Qatar allowed her refugee status but has caved to Qadafi to return her to Libya.
The US State Department has said that it is "disappointed" that Qatar was pressured into returning Iman against her will. But are we brave enough to take a stand?
We the undersigned are asking our representatives to step up and offer Iman Al-Obeidi refugee status here in the United States. She deserves protection and the chance to make her case heard for all people, who she has touched millions with her bravery.
Thank you for hearing our words. We are all Iman Al-Obeidi.
