A comment from a fellow AllVoice member, on one of my articles, reminded me of the sad plight of Paul and Rachel Chandler. This UK couple were snatched by pirates on 23rd October 2009. As the anniversary of their capture comes around there seems to be little reported recently about this couple.
Researching the Internet led me to a petition at AllVoices for their release. There was also news of a plea by the couple in May 2010 made to David Cameron, the now UK Prime Minister.
The couple are not young enough to cope easily with there imprisonment. For most of the time that they have been held they have been kept in solitary confinement. Imagine this when you are frightened, in trouble, away from all things familiar and uncertain what the future may hold. How dreadful.
The ransom demand was initially set high at £4.3 million. Eventually this was reduced to a mere £100,000 which is not much for two people's lives. Two people who have always worked hard and were about to enjoy some welcome free time. The payment of this smaller ransom was blocked by the foreign office, in line with its policy regarding hostage takers.
Paul and Rachel have explained that to their captorsthey are merely animals or goods. Something to barter with. Not living people with feelings, families, usefulness and the like.
My final search on-line found a site dedicated to Saving The Chandlers. It was set up in July 2010. The recent news about the couple has been sketchy, to say the least. I guess I am writing this brief article to remind everyone, including myself, of this poor couples plight. Fair enough the government could be working hard behind the scenes to free them. Let's hope this is the case and that, if so, it is a peaceful resolution. In the mean time we should all do what we can, be it lobbying your politician, donating funds or what you will.
Today Paul and Rachel Chandler have been held captive for 354 days. How much longer will their torment last?
Source: www.allvoices.com
Read and sign petition here :
ReplyDeletePetition : Free Paul and Rachel Chandler
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/6540135-petition-free-paul-and-rachel-chandler
I am saddened that these poor people appear to have been forgotten. Nothing in the main news since July. Surely something can be done to get them home
ReplyDeleteJust had a thought regarding these people, I too am astonished nothinhg has been heard of them in the media recently.
ReplyDeleteJust been searching online because it has been so long since we've heard about the Chandlers. It's so cruel what has happened to them, it's almost a year now.
ReplyDeleteAs a yachtie who was in the Seychelles at the same time as the Chandlers, and met them, I search the internet monthly to see what is going on with their situation. It took us over a year to leave the Seychelles. June of this year we left only after the French Military Attaché told us it was safe to go and at that time they were tracking over 20 different pirate groups in the Indian Ocean. I say the Russians have the right idea to take out the Mother ships.
ReplyDelete