Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe is a British-Iranian author, advocate, and public speaker whose experience has become one of the most prominent examples of wrongful detention and state hostage diplomacy in recent years, both in the UK and internationally.
Detained in Iran in 2016 while travelling with her young daughter, Nazanin spent six years imprisoned and under house arrest before securing her release in 2022. Her case drew widespread international attention and highlighted the human impact of geopolitical conflict, as well as the resilience required to endure prolonged injustice and isolation.
Alongside her husband, Richard Ratcliffe, whose sustained public campaign played a central role in securing her freedom, Nazanin’s story and that of her family became a symbol of courage, perseverance, and surviving beyond walls.
Today Nazanin speaks about how she endured immense hardship and fought to protect her mental well-being, both during her captivity and after her release. She shares the struggles her family went through, seeking justice, and the solidarity shown by those both inside and outside the prison who carried her through it all. She speaks openly and honestly about the personal toll that political conflict has taken on her life, individually and as a family. Through her words, we gain a powerful insight into what it truly means to survive extreme circumstances and to witness the enduring strength of the human spirit.
