Pupils lobby Boris Johnson for release of British-Iranian nationals

Pupils from Westholme School are lobbying Boris Johnson for the release of two British-Iranian nationals held against their will in Iran.
The pupils who are asking parents and friends to show their supportThe pupils who are asking parents and friends to show their support
The pupils who are asking parents and friends to show their support

Led by the school’s Amnesty Human Rights Group, students from Westholme’s INSPIRED Sixth Form are building a petition to help raise awareness of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh Ashoori’s plight – both imprisoned in Iran for charges they strongly deny.

Earlier this month, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband staged a three-week hunger strike outside of the Foreign Office in London, campaigning for his wife’s release who has been in custody since 2016, accused of being a spy.

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Dr Richard Robson, Principal at Westholme School said: “It is important that young people feel they have a voice, in addressing issues close to home and within international waters. Westholme’s Amnesty Human Rights Group is part of our co-curricular programme and our students are passionate about making a difference and campaigning for positive change.”

Members of Westholme’s Amnesty Human Rights Group have been following Zaghari-Ratcliffe and Anoosheh’s story closely, concerned that the government is not doing enough to secure their release.

Dr Robson added: “Facilitated by the school’s Head of Ethics, Philosophy and Religion, students are delivering a number of education pieces for the whole school, encouraging pupils and their parents to learn more about the detainees’ stories and sign a petition in partnership with Amnesty International.”

Zara Hyatt, Youth MP for Blackburn with Darwen is also a pupil at Westholme School, she said: “As a Youth MP, I feel that action needs to be taken immediately to help these individuals and their families who are suffering. I urge the local community to take action to bring them home, just like Westholme students are doing.”

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