Rasha Sharbaji facts for kids
Rasha Sharbaji, also known as Shurbaji or Chorbaji, is a Syrian mother. She was arrested with her children when she went to get a passport. This happened because her husband had opposed the government. Her husband sadly passed away in 2014 while trying to move to Europe.
In 2016, Samantha Power, who was the U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., mentioned Rasha Sharbaji. She was named as one of twenty women who were political prisoners. This was part of a special effort called the Free the 20 campaign.
About Rasha Sharbaji
Rasha Sharbaji was born in 1982. She is from a town called Darayya. This town is a suburb of Damascus in Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria.
Her Arrest and Family
On May 22, 2014, Rasha went to a government office. She was there to get a passport in Damascus. She was arrested there with her children. This happened because her husband had spoken out against the government.
Rasha was pregnant with twins at the time. The authorities wanted to arrest her husband, Osama Abbar. So, they arrested Rasha instead. Her children were placed in a children's home. This home was called SOS Village in Qudsaya. Her family was not allowed to visit the children. The Syrian police first took Rasha to a security office in Damascus. Later, she was moved to another prison. This prison was at the al-Mezze military airport in Damascus.
Rasha's husband passed away in October 2014. He drowned in the Mediterranean Sea. He was trying to migrate to Europe at that time.
The FreeThe20 Campaign
The Human Rights and Democracy Office in the US State Department asked for important cases. They asked Noor al-Khatib from the Syrian Network for Human Rights for these cases. The Syrian Network for Human Rights suggested Rasha Sharbaji. They also suggested Dr. Rania Abbasi and Dr. Faten Rajab. The State Department then chose Rasha Sharbaji for the FreeThe20 campaign.
See also
