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 Ministers of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding campaign for the protection of Translators and Interpreters working in Conflict Zones – August 2022
Statement from the International Federation of Translators (FIT) concerning the imprisonment of a translator in Belarus – February 2021
Open Letter to Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison Regarding a Humanitarian Promise – February 2020
Open Letter to Chancellor of the Republic of Germany Angela Merkel with a Plea to Provide a Safe Haven – July 2019
Open Letter to the UN Secretary-General seeking a UN Resolution to Protect Civilian Translators/Interpreters in Conflict Situations – May 2019
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 to Prime Minister Tsipras of Greece on Protective Asylum for Afghan Interpreters – October 2015
Open Letter to the President of the Republic of Turkey on behalf of Mohammed Ismael Rasool – September 2015
Open Letter to His Holiness Pope Francis for protecting translators and interpreters at risk – June 2015
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
Open Letter to the Prime Minister of The Netherlands on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Polish Armed Forces – September 2014
Open Letter to the President of the Republic of Poland on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Polish Armed Forces – July 2014
Open letter to the Spanish Minister of Defence on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Spanish Armed Forces – September 2013
Open Letter to the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the German Armed Forces –
June 2013
Open Letter to the Prime Minister of France on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the French Armed Forces – June 2013
Open Letter to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the British Armed Forces – June 2013
Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Denmark on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Danish Armed Forces – May 2013
Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Sweden on behalf of Afghan conflict zone linguists affiliated with the Swedish Armed Forces – April 2013
Open Letter to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security on behalf of Afghan and Iraqi conflict zone linguists – February 2013
Open Letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of Iranian translator Manijeh Najm Araghi – August 2012.
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.
Open Letter to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran on behalf of Iranian literary translator Mohammad Soleimani Nia – May 2012.
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.
