Martin Docherty-Hughes MP met with Richard Ratcliffe this week outside the Iranian Embassy to show solidarity for the campaign to secure freedom and justice for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
The MP for West Dunbartonshire took time between meetings at Westminster to visit Richard Ratcliffe who has been on hunger strike in London since 15 June in protest at the ongoing detention of his wife Nazanin in Iran.
SNP MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said the Ratcliffe famility has shown incredible courage throughout Nazanin’s plight, and thanked them for showing support for Dumbarton man Jagtar Singh Johal who has been imprisoned in India for 600 days.
Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe was jailed for five years in 2016 after being arrested at Tehran airport and convicted of espionage – a charge denied by Nazinin’s family who continue to campaign for her release.
The cases of Jagtar Singh Johal and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe have been cited by human rights group Redress as examples showing that the UK government should be doing more to protect the rights of British nationals detained abroad.
MP Martin Docherty-Hughes says that the next Prime Minister – whether Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt – must step up efforts to secure justice for the families of both Jagtar Singh Johal and Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.
Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“As we mark 600 days since the arrest in India of Dumbarton man Jagtar Singh Johal, I was humbled to meet with Richard Ratcliffe who continues to show incredible courage in the face of such heartache.
“Few can fail to have been moved by the plight of Richard’s wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and the strength shown by the family in their campaign to bring Nazanin home is truly inspiring.
“My thanks go to Richard for his solidarity in showing support for the #FreeJaggiNow campaign which continues to push for justice on behalf of Jagtar and his family in Dumbarton.
“It’s vital that the next British Prime Minister – whether that be Boris Johnson or Jeremy Hunt – takes action to support these families and demonstrate that they’re serious about protecting the rights of UK citizens detained abroad.”
