The James W. Foley Legacy Foundation announced yesterday speakers and honorees for its 5th Annual James W. Foley Freedom Awards gala to be held at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on April 1, 2020.
The keynote speaker at the dinner will be Admiral William H. McRaven, retired U.S. Navy four-star admiral and former ninth commander of the U.S. Special Operations Command, will be the keynote speaker at the dinner. McRaven is a powerful advocate for American values.
Poblete Tamargo’s Jason Poblete will receive the Hostage Freedom Award for his work to help free several Americans unlawfully detained in Iran and Venezuela, including U.S. permanent resident Nizar Zakka and U.S. citizen Xiyue Wang. They were held for four years and three years respectively by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The foundation, named for freelance journalist James W. Foley who was murdered by ISIS in 2014, advocates for the safe return of Americans held hostage abroad and for improved safety for journalists operating in dangerous areas. You can learn more about the gala and the other honorees here.
“The announcement, after nearly a year of requests by top Lebanese officials for Mr. Zakka’s freedom, was billed in Iran and Lebanon as a gesture of good will from one nation to the other. It came at a time of crackling tension between the United States and Iran. Though leaders of both countries have said they do not want war, aggressive rhetoric on both sides, escalating American economic and military pressure, and mysterious attacks on oil installations of American allies in the Persian Gulf have raised fears of an armed clash.
Mr. Zakka’s American lawyer, Jason Poblete, described his release as “excellent news” and said in an emailed statement that his client “looks forward to reuniting with family and friends.” Mr. Poblete also suggested in the statement that Mr. Zakka had come to know some of the Americans and other foreigners who have been imprisoned in Iran.“Nizar grew close to some of these men,” Mr. Poblete said. “They need help and want to come home.”
Read the New York Times story here (subscription required).
Zakka Family Appreciates Continued Support Of The U.S. Government
Yesterday, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo delivered remarks at the Department of State to families of American citizens and U.S Legal Permanent residents held captive abroad. Mr. Omar Zakka, the youngest son of Mr. Nizar Zakka, who last month testified before Congress a second time about his father’s case, was at the State Department for meetings with senior U.S. officials including Secretary of State of Mike Pompeo.
“On behalf of my father and the rest of the Zakka family, I thanked Secretary Pompeo and his team for what they are doing to help bring my dad home. I am confident if Lebanon were to fully help the United States, my father would be home. Lebanon and all parties in a position to do so should follow the example of the Trump administration and help my father,” Omar said.
Mr. Nizar Zakka was in Iran at the invitation of the Iranian government, a guest of the former Vice President Shahindokht Molaverdi. Upon information and belief, Mr. Zakka was unlawfully detained and kidnapped on September 18, 2015, by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC); and it is probable Mr. Zakka’s abduction was orchestrated to coincide on or about September 17, the last day of the U.S. Congressional review period of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
The following press release was issued following yesterday’s events.
Earlier today, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism held a hearing titled, “The Status of American Hostages in Iran.” Mr. Omar Zakka, the youngest son of Mr. Nizar Zakka, testified before the Committee on Nizar’s ongoing unlawful detention.
Statement on U.S. Congressional Hearing to
Secure Release of Hostages in Iran
Zakka Family Appreciates Continued Support Of The U.S. Congress
The Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism held a hearing today, The Status of American Hostages in Iran. Mr. Omar Zakka, the youngest son of Mr. Nizar Zakka, testified before the Committee. Mr. Zakka is a U.S. Legal Permanent Resident and U.S.-based ICT professional who has been held hostage in Iran since 2015.
“We ask this government to take all available legal and diplomatic measures to reunite us with our father. We ask this government to do the same for all the families of the other hostages. Help us reunite with our father,” Omar told members of the committee this afternoon. His testimony is available at the Committee website.
The Middle East, North Africa, and International Terrorism Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) is a long-time human rights champion and has been working for several years to secure the release of Americans and U.S. LPRs unlawfully detained in Iran and elsewhere. Rep. Deutch in his opening remarks stated:
“Iran’s despicable practice of holding American’s and other foreign nationals hostage should not be tolerated by any responsible nation.” He went on to discuss Mr. Zakka’s case emphasizing his unjust detainment. “Nizar is an IT professional who was invited to Iran to participate in an IT conference. Let me say that again. He was invited to the country. And then detained.”
Chairman Deutch and Ranking Member Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) announced at today’s hearing a number of Congressional proposals to strengthen U.S. hostage policy including the ‘‘Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act of 2019.” A Congressional resolution has also been introduced on Iran hostages.
“This is the second time Omar has presented his dad’s case to the Congress and, frankly, Omar hopes it will be the last time. As many as 12 nations appear to have foreigners unlawfully deprived of liberty in Iran. Nizar’s case and others like it are an international problem that requires multilateral cooperation, including nations in a position to help such as Lebanon. Talks based solely on humanitarian issues should be established with Iran to help Nizar and other hostages. With political will it’s possible to bring him home soon,” said Jason Poblete, Mr. Nizar Zakka’s attorney in the United States.
Follow this link for more information about the hearing, including Omar’s testimony and video clips of the hearing.
