Laurie Williams Sowby: “As humanitarians and Americans, we should support those 76,000 Afghans who’ve arrived in the U.S. seeking asylum - one of their rights as human beings.'
A C-17 aircraft arrives with some of the final people evacuated from Afghanistan, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Monday, August 30, 2021.My husband and I serve as volunteers with the Geneva Office for Human Rights Education. As hosts with the Utah Council for Citizen Diplomacy, we frequently host foreign guests of the U.S. Department of State for dinner at our home when they visit Utah. We realize we represent our state and nation as well as our faith in our duties.
We hosted five provincial governors from Afghanistan for Iftar the last night of Ramadan in June 2017, and we hosted three judges from Kabul — two of them women — in early March 2020, just before the world came to a standstill because of COVID-19. On both occasions, we thoroughly enjoyed our interaction with these gracious and good people and could appreciate the value they added to their nation and the world.
They told us what the support of the U.S. meant to them in being able to live with peace and progress the past two decades. They also voiced their hope that Afghanistan would not be left alone to be devoured by the nations surrounding it. In August 2021, as our troops pulled out of Afghanistan and chaos ensued under the Taliban, I received a desperate email from one of the provincial governors — the father of four — asking for help in relocating his family to safety in the U.S. I could not personally help him, but he was referred to someone who had that knowledge in the State Department.
Last I heard, his family was in Pakistan and were working on papers to emigrate. I hope they were successful. I don’t know what happened to the judges, but I imagine the worst.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Memphis on Texas A&M’s mind as nonconference play winds downBuzz Williams expects a good prep for SEC play that begins in January
Read more »
Kenneth Nevada Williams identified as California cold case victim, police searching for killerA teenager found dead in Long Beach, California, in 1978 known as 'John Doe 1978' was identified as a runaway named Kenneth Nevada Williams.
Read more »
Hayley Williams Does Not Enter Quietly, Her Style Now Louder Than Ever BeforeIn paramore's latest single, ‘The News,’ Hayley Williams' classic emo-grunge look gets a makeover, featuring cult brands like Simone Rocha, Coperni and Courrèges.
Read more »
No Nepo Babies for Laura Dern and Michelle WilliamsThe two actors, who are mothers both in real life and on screen, draw a hard line in an otherwise soft conversation.
Read more »
Steven Spielberg and John Williams Will Mark 50 Years of Collaboration at American Cinematheque Tribute (Exclusive)The legendary duo, whose 29 films together span 'Sugarland Express' through 'The Fabelmans,' will be recognized on Jan. 12.
Read more »