Noura Ghazi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Noura Ghazi
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| Born | September 30, 1981 Damascus, Syria
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Bassel Khartabil
(m. 2013; |
Noura Ghazi (born September 30, 1981) is a brave Syrian lawyer and activist who works to protect human rights. She helps people who have been treated unfairly. Her husband, Bassel Khartabil, was a computer expert and a strong supporter of free speech and democracy in Syria. He was arrested by the Syrian government in 2012 and sadly died in 2015.
Contents
Noura Ghazi's Early Life and Journey
Noura Ghazi learned about human rights problems at a young age. Her father, who disagreed with the government, was arrested when she was a child. She often visited him in Adra prison in Damascus and attended his court hearings. When she was only 12 years old, she decided she would become a lawyer. She wanted to defend people who were arrested just for their beliefs, often called prisoners of conscience. Noura studied law at Damascus University.
Meeting Bassel Khartabil
Noura met her husband, Bassel Khartabil, in April 2011. They met at a protest in Douma against the strict rule of Bashar al-Assad. On March 15, 2012, Bassel was arrested by the Syrian government and taken to Adra Prison.
A Wedding in Prison
In early 2013, Noura and Bassel got married. Their wedding happened during two visits to the prison. First, they exchanged their promises to each other. On the second visit, Noura's uncle, who was also a lawyer, came along. This visit made their marriage official.
Bassel's Disappearance
After their wedding, Bassel was moved to a secret location in October 2015. Noura and others worried he might be judged by a military court. In November 2015, rumors spread that Bassel had been secretly sentenced to death.
It was not until August 2017 that Noura learned the sad truth. Bassel had been killed by the Syrian government shortly after he disappeared in 2015. Noura still does not know what happened to his body.
The story of Noura and Bassel became well-known among activists. They were often called The Bride and Groom of the Revolution.
Noura Ghazi's Important Work
Noura Ghazi wrote a book called “Waiting.” It is a collection of poems and journal entries, like a long love letter to her husband. The book has twenty-six poems that tell the story of their time together. It also shows how the Syrian revolution unfolded. Noura and Bassel worked on this book for over a year. Noura would choose texts and secretly bring them to Bassel in prison during her visits. He would then translate them into English.
Families for Freedom
Noura is also part of a group called Families for Freedom. This group started in 2017. It is the first group led by women that supports Syrian people who have been arrested and their families. In Syria, many men have disappeared. This means that women often have to carry the heavy burden of their absence.
