Rasha Sharbaji facts for kids
Rasha Sharbaji, also known as Shurbaji or Chorbaji, is a mother from Syria. She was arrested with her children when she went to get a passport. This happened because authorities wanted to put pressure on her husband. Her husband sadly passed away in 2014 while trying to travel to Europe.
In 2016, Samantha Power, who was the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., named Rasha Sharbaji as one of twenty women who were held against their will. This was part of a special effort called the Free the 20 campaign.
About Rasha Sharbaji
Rasha Sharbaji was born in 1982. She comes from a place called Darayya, which is a suburb near Damascus in the Rif Dimashq Governorate.
On May 22, 2014, Rasha went to a government office in Damascus to get a passport. While she was there, she and her children were taken into custody. This happened because her husband had disagreed with the government.
At the time, Rasha was expecting twin babies. The authorities wanted to find her husband, Osama Abbar. So, they held Rasha and placed her children in a special home called SOS Village, which is like an orphanage in Qudsaya. Her family was not allowed to see the children. Rasha was taken to different government buildings in Damascus.
In October 2014, Rasha's husband died. He lost his life in the Mediterranean Sea while trying to travel to Europe.
The Free the 20 Campaign
The Human Rights and Democracy Office in the US State Department looked for important cases of people being held against their will. They asked Noor al-Khatib from the Syrian Network for Human Rights for help.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights suggested Rasha Sharbaji's case. They also suggested the cases of Dr. Rania Abbasi and Dr. Faten Rajab. The State Department then chose Rasha Sharbaji to be part of the Free the 20 campaign. This campaign aimed to bring attention to women who were held against their will.
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