Olivier was arrested in February 2022 and sentenced to 40 years in prison and 74 lashes by the Iranian regime in a context where, shaken by a popular uprising, it wishes to negotiate with the Belgian authorities for the transfer of an Iranian citizen convicted of attempting a terrorist attack. Other foreign nationals are imprisoned in Iran and are also considered bargaining chips.
Olivier does not deserve to be a collateral victim of diplomatic issues that go beyond him. Above all, he is a man committed to vulnerable populations in areas where humanitarian action is legitimate, in a fight against health and social inequalities that he has been part of alongside us for many years. Recognized for his commitment, courage, and values of solidarity, he has become, despite himself, a prime target.
Harming Olivier means attacking the humanitarian community as a whole by depriving humanity of the opportunity to benefit from the commitment of some to alleviate its suffering. It endangers an independent, impartial, and neutral humanitarian space that we defend and which allows us to be as close as possible to injustices and needs.
The international community as a whole must defend these principles unconditionally to ensure the beneficial effects of our actions and the limitation of risks faced by our teams in the field.
Under these circumstances, we demand Olivier’s immediate release by calling on the parties involved to respect his dignity, physical and moral integrity. We are determined to make our fellow citizens aware of how precious his life is to us and are calling for gatherings in various cities around the world on Saturday, January 28, to show our solidarity with him.
To follow updates on Olivier Vandecasteele:
Facebook: Free Olivier Vandecasteele group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/freeoliviervandecasteele
Twitter: @FreeOlivierVDC: https://twitter.com/FreeOlivierVDC
Instagram: Freeoliviervandecasteele: https://www.instagram.com/freeoliviervandecasteele/
#freeoliviervandecasteele