“I am very scared”

“ I don’t know why I am in jail or how long  I will be here”

These are words spoken by Hakeem al-Araibi as ABC interview him while he is in prison in Bangkok. The footballer fled criminal charges related to the 2011 Arab Spring protests against Bahrain’s Government. Unaware of the fact that he could be spending up to 6 months in prison this was meant to be a good time for Hakeem as it was meant to be his honeymoon. But Hakeem was positive that he didn’t commit any crimes and was just at the protest.

Former football player Craig Forster heard about this story and 10 days after Hakeem was taken into custody. Craig wrote to the president and secretary of Fifa reminding them about their human rights policy. “I’m sure that all in our global football family are delighted that Fifa have committed to the protection of basic human rights across its global activities”.

 

The reason he explained this is because Hakeem’s basic human rights have been broken when he was tortured in Bahrain. Craig then used his social media platform to reach out to other notable figures to help to try to assist Craig in his mission to get Hakeem back home to Australia. Tim Cahill former Australian footballing legend responded saying “I’m here any way you need me mate. My support for Hakeem and raising awareness for him is very important. Please pass on my message the he has my full support”.

 

 

Then Craig travelled to Switzerland to personal lobby Fifa secretary general Fatma Samoura on behalf of Hakeem. Fifa then sent a representative to Hakeem’s court hearing, and assisted in fighting for Hakeem and many more refugees to return Australia. Hakeem was shortly after allowed entrance back into Australia.

 

Craig Forster had used his platform to assist a person convicted of a crime he did not commit to return freely to Australia. The connects he had with Former and current football players and big football organization Fifa.