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Translators and interpreters have been increasingly subject to unjust persecution, prosecution and imprisonment in countries across the world. To publicise and combat this critical state of affairs, the International Federation of Translators (FIT), the International Association of Conference Interpreters (AIIC) and Red T, later joined by the International Association of Professional Translators and Interpreters (IAPTI), launched an Open Letter Project in mid-2012.
Its objective is to advocate on behalf of these embattled linguists by researching their individual cases and sending letters of appeal to the appropriate authorities.
We encourage you to join our project by writing a letter of your own. Every voice matters! The project began with letters relating to the cases of imprisoned Iranian translators and writers and later extended to local linguists working for foreign forces in conflict areas, particularly their situation when the foreign forces withdraw. Efforts have been made to publicise the letters and alert the media to them, helping to put pressure on governments to ensure the long-term safety of linguists who served their troops.
Below you will find open letters sent to the governments of various countries around the world.
Open Letter to President of the Republic of France on Afghan interpreters - August 2017
Open Letter to the Canadian Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship - August 2016
Open Letter to US Congress - May 2016
Open Letter in support of Danish translators' associations - January 2015
Open Letter in solidarity with the victims of the attacks on Charlie Hebdo - January 2015
This letter was also sent out in Farsi, addressed to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani, Head of Judiciary, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Our thanks go to Eriksen Translations Inc. for generously providing the Farsi translations.
This letter was also sent out in Farsi, addressed to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei, Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani, Head of Judiciary, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Our thanks go to Eriksen Translations Inc. for generously providing the Farsi translations.. Update: In late May 2012, Mohammad Soleimani Nia was released on bail. A few weeks later, he responded to a summons by authorities to pick up his personal property and was reportedly rearrested.
