Three Iranians in Wales are sharing their powerful stories in a bid to raise awareness about the harsh realities in Iran. Mohsen, Ellie, and Kaivan each bring unique perspectives but share a united goal – to be the voice for change. Despite thriving in their new Welsh home, with Mohsen working in the water industry and Ellie as a chartered accountant, their thoughts remain with their families back in Iran.
In Iran, basic freedoms are a distant dream. Mohsen recalls a life of oppression where voicing dissent led to threats and danger. He describes a regime where public executions are common, and the youth grow up under a constant state of fear. Ellie’s experience as a woman in Iran was fraught with the fear of arrest and assault, a reality she fears for her sister still living there.
They all dream of a democratic Iran and are frustrated by what they perceive as indifference from western media and politics. The trio urges the global community to listen to the voices of Iranians and differentiate between the Iranian people and the oppressive regime. They emphasise that there’s a desperate hope for freedom, though any possible agreement with the regime, they believe, won’t benefit the people of Iran.
Now in Wales, an integral part of their story is to educate and engage with politicians, hoping to instigate meaningful change and inspire support for the Iranian people’s right to self-determination and democracy. They see an opportunity to connect with the Welsh community and express their gratitude for the new life they have found here while advocating for change back home.