The stories of two Righteous Women honored at the Neve Shalom–Wahat al-Salam Garden, told by Samah Salaime, show how human rights can flourish even in the most challenging contexts.
When we think of the term democracy in the context of the Garden of Rescuers in Wahat al-Salam – Neve Shalom, the concept does not come into play as a form of practice, but more in terms of those unique individuals who dedicate themselves, even at the risk to their lives, in working toward equality within countries that are not democracies. But two of honorees in our garden are exceptional in that they act out of a resolve to help those most impacted by the lack of democracy in
their countries and in the world.
Thus, Dr. Alganesc Fesseha works with the most abused people in the horn of Africa – her birthplace Eritrea, Ethiopia and Sudan – as well as Libya and Sinai, to assist the victims of torture, gender-based violence and trafficking. These are people who are fleeing the worst sorts of dictatorships and conflict. That is, they seek personal safety and a release from extreme poverty and human rights abuse. Democracy, in the context of their lives, is a luxury. It is a luxury many of us take for granted, but one they have never known.
Dr. Fesseha has dedicated her life to rescuing and protecting these vulnerable individuals, particularly women and children who are at high risk of abuse and exploitation. Through her organization, the Ghandi Charity, based in Italy, she has been instrumental in providing critical assistance to refugees who have been kidnapped, tortured or subjected to sexual violence. Her efforts have not only saved lives but have also brought international attention to the plight of African refugees, many of whom suffer in silence and obscurity.
One of Dr. Fesseha’s most notable achievements is her work in the Sinai Peninsula, a region infamous for the brutal treatment of refugees. Many refugees from war-torn countries like Sudan, trying to reach Israel through Egypt, were captured by traffickers in the Sinai, where they had been held for ransom in horrific conditions. Victims are subjected to torture, sexual abuse and even forced labor, and they were sometimes even killed if their families did pay the demanded ransom.
Ghandi and Dr. Fesseha have been recognized in Italy as well as in the Garden of Rescuers for her work in saving lives. Among other things, the organization has brought refugees to Italy to begin new lives. In addition to her direct interventions, Dr. Fesseha has been a vocal advocate for the rights of refugees and migrants. She has spoken out against the global indifference to the suffering of African refugees and has called for greater international cooperation to combat human trafficking. Her advocacy extends to pushing for policy changes that address the root causes of migration, such as poverty, war, and human rights violations, and for the creation of safe and legal pathways for refugees to seek asylum.
Atefa Ghafoory, a young Afghani-born journalist, also works within the environment of a totalitarian, theocratic regime that is especially harsh for women. Beginning with her career as a journalist – a career she chose in order to document the human rights abuses of the Taliban – she became an activist, organizing and participating in numerous protests and campaigns aimed at challenging the Taliban’s oppressive policies and advocating for greater gender equality. For the women in her country, lack of democracy is a personal issue, extending to a woman’s right to study or marry whom she pleases.
In 2021, understanding her life was in danger, Ghafoory made the difficult decision to flee Afghanistan. As the Taliban came into the city, she tried to save twenty women who were part of the women’s section of the AJSC, the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee that she had directed since 2019. This move, while ensuring her physical safety, did not deter her activism. From her new base inSweden, she continues to work tirelessly to support Afghan women and keep the international
community informed about the ongoing human rights abuses in Afghanistan.
She uses her voice to highlight the plight of Afghan women under Taliban rule. Her film, “Bell of Death and Torture in the Morn of Kabul,” which won the Best Activist Award at the 2024 Freedom of Religion or Belief Film Competition, is a powerful testament to her commitment to justice. The film documents the harrowing experiences of Tamana Zaryab Paryani, who, like Ghafoory, faced severe
consequences for protesting against the Taliban.
Dr. Alganesc Fesseha and Atefa Ghafoory, two strong women, have an almost innate sense of justice.
Their fight is one for world democracy, in which all have equal, basic human rights. These are stories that deserve to be heard again anda again, by all who value human life.