“All I have left inside of me is a little bit of hope, because there must be an excuse to live -one must constantly make excuses. These excuses illuminate our darkest moments and guide us to find our way. After all, even in the darkest moments, a star always shines within us that no one has the power to take away from us. No one has the power to extinguish the fire that lies in hope".
-Omid
© ILLUSTRATION: JAN HENDRIK FOR '0 YEARS: DRAWING FOR JUSTICE'
#messageToHope
امید • (umēd, ummēd / omid, ommid): Hope, optimism, faith.
For more than two years, Omid has been behind bars.
the reason? he steered a boat to survive.
In July 2022, Omid was arrested in Greece for doing what so many people fleeing danger are forced to do: take the helm of a boat in order to survive. For this act, he was prosecuted as a smuggler, convicted, and sentenced to 66 years and 6 months in prison.
For more than 2 years, Omid has remained behind bars in Avlona prison - waiting, persevering, holding on to hope. On June 8, 2026, he will finally stand before the court of Rhodes for his appeal hearing.
Omid’s upcoming trial is not only about him -it is about every person on the move facing prosecution instead of protection.
This campaign is not only about him. It is about challenging a system that punishes people for seeking safety. It is about demanding accountability for the violation of human rights and the erosion of the rule of law.
It is your opportunity to stand up for justice.
"I've always wanted to write letters for someone"
This is a critical moment:
a chance to challenge an unjust conviction that criminalizes migration itself.
As his legal representative, the Human Rights Legal Project is launching a campaign to support Omid’s fight for justice.
We are raising funds to cover essential legal costs for his appeal - ensuring he has the strongest possible defense at this decisive stage.
We are a small NGO, but out fight is big -and we need you on our side.
But financial support alone is not enough.
JUSTICE BEGINS WITH SOLIDARITY.
Knowing that people beyond prison walls see him, hear him, and stand with him can make a profound difference for Omid.
We invite you to send him messages of strength, hope, and humanity through your preferred medium of choice -a letter, a painting, an illustration, a photograph, a poem, a song.
To let Omid know that his fight, is also ours.
Prison isolates, letters connect.
Break the isolation, make your voice count.
“The modern world’s main problem is that it has moved away from art and become filled with hatred. Find the art within you—so that you can live freely, even if only a little.”
write to omid
omid's story
Omid is a young Kurdish Iranian who grew up standing up for his community. During his teenage years in Iran he was actively involved in student activism, as a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party and of a student union defending environmental rights. He is vegan and a strong advocate of animals' rights.
In 2017, at just 15 years old, Omid fled Iran with his family, seeking protection in Turkey, where he decided to convert to Christianity. However, when his asylum claim was rejected, he faced deportation threats, being forced to flee once again back to Iran, where he faced ethnic and religious persecution.
In case of return to Iran, Omid fears persecution on several grounds: a) on religious grounds as he could be convicted of apostasy which is punishable by death, b) persecution on political grounds as he has been a political activist for several years, c) persecution on ethnic grounds, as his belonging to the Kurdish minority renders him a potential target in Iran.
“In the Islamic Republic of Iran, any political activity against the regime can lead to charges of disturbing public order, and if the behavior is interpreted under the framework of corruption on earth, or waging war against God, propaganda against the regime, punishments may include the death penalty. This is a serious threat to a political activist like myself.” -Omid
In July 2022, Omid boarded a boat from Turkey, hoping to reach safety in Italy, where he would apply for international protection. However, on the way to Italy, a storm took place and the engine of the boat broke down, in the Greek maritime territory.
Omid was translating the captain’s orders to all the passengers as they all unsuccessfully tried to repair the boat. The passengers were therefore forced to request assistance from the nearest ship; it was a commercial ship that delivered them to the Greek authorities.
The same night they were taken to a camp on the island of Kos, and Omid was interrogated by the police. He was consequently arrested by the Greek police and accused of smuggling on the grounds of boat-driving, initially facing up to 465 years in prison.
In November 2023, HRLP defended him before the First-Instance Court of Dodecanese in Rodos, and he was sentenced to 66 years and 6 months. He appealed the same day. After more than two and a half years spent waiting in prison, his appeal hearing is finally set to take place on the 8th of June 2026.