Right now in an Iranian prison sits a woman alone and scared. A 31 year old Iranian – American journalist who was ripped from her life in Tehran and detained on false charges that have ran the gamete between buying alcohol, working without press credentials to being a spy for the United States of America. She was sentenced to 8 years in prison after a one day trial in a closed court. There was no evidence to support any of these allegations but that is not required in a country who has a history of silencing, imprisoning and even killing journalists and any other persons who are seen as a dissident.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has reportedly asked the prosecutors to allow Ms. Saberi to present a full defense. It is hoped that this carries some weight but at this time nobody knows. With President Obama’s support and many others who have joined the legal and civil rights teams, you would hope her release will be soon. Dr. Shirin Ebadi, a lawyer and Nobel Peace Prize winner (2003) will be defending Ms. Saberi. She knows all too well this process; not only as a lawyer but also having been sentenced herself to prison. The sentence was later over turned but she has continued to fight on behalf of human rights and reform.

We, in Canada, know the story of Zahra Kazemi. An Iranian-Canadian freelance photographer that took photos at demonstrations and was subsequently arrested, convicted and remained in Evin prison until her murder. This is the same prison where Ms. Saberi now sits. Ms. Kazemi was raped, tortured and killed; her body becoming a source of another political battle as she was buried in Iran instead of Canada.

So, what do these women have in common? Why is (and was) their freedom important? Roxana Saberi and all the other women and men who have seen the inside of those prisons are there to protect freedom of speech. They are the eyes and ears that report the stories we may not want to always here, but must for our own personal evolution and collective survival. They are citizens of the world that bring us the stories that need to be told, not what is trendy or watered down for our palatability.

What makes them a threat to countries like Iran, is that they show the truth.

Strong countries are built by leaders who embrace freedom for its citizens; the silencing of any one’s voice only demonstrates its weakness and fear. If Iran and other countries were truly wanting to be in their power they would not have to be afraid of women like Roxana Saberi, Zahra Kazemi or any other man, woman or child. Only a coward needs to hide behind an army or court in order to secure his leadership. A true leader and a strong country knows its power, intelligence and future is in the people!

Iran hints jail term could be revised