For Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, the holiday season marks another year behind bars, as the couple spends their third Christmas imprisoned in Iran. The two French citizens were arrested on May 7, 2022, accused by Iranian authorities of espionage during what was meant to be a leisure trip.
Kohler, a 39-year-old French teacher, is held at Evin prison, known for its harsh conditions, alongside her companion Jacques Paris, 69, who is also facing the same serious charges. The gravity of their predicament has not only drawn attention in France but also stoked international concern about human rights practices within Iran.
According to reports from Radio France's international service on December 25, 2022, Noémie Kohler, Cécile's sister, shared insights from her recent video call with Cécile. "We sense her despair is deepening, and it is increasingly difficult for her to believe she will regain her freedom," Noémie expressed. Her family’s anguish reflects the isolation Cécile experiences behind bars, where contact is limited and monitored.
To provide support during this challenging time, Noémie and the 'Liberté pour Cécile' committee organized the mailing of 750 letters of encouragement to Cécile, collected from supporters back home. This mass mailing took place on December 20 from the Post Office at the Louvre, Paris. Noémie noted, "I told her many people are mobilized for her cause. I mentioned the 750 letters, and I saw joy light up her face. It greatly uplifted her, especially considering her fears of being forgotten. But that's far from the truth; we are all fighting for her and Jacques."
The committee's actions came as families of both detainees expressed frustration over the dire conditions they face. Reports highlight the "inhumane" treatment Kohler endures—she’s been denied contact with independent legal counsel and has faced significant restrictions on visits from consular officials. Since her arrest, aside from three brief, supervised consul visits, she has been largely cut off from external communication.
What amplified their plight is the alarming potential of serving as pawns within Iran’s broader geopolitical negotiations. Many observers fear their charges may relate to larger diplomatic tensions, raising alarms about human rights practices under Iranian law, particularly with regards to foreign nationals.
Further complicity was revealed when Iranian officials indicated they might hold public hearings and information about the couple’s situation seemed to vanish without trace. This uncertainty has fueled anxiety among their families, who are fighting not only for their release but also for basic humane treatment and access to legal representation.
Reports maintain there remains no confirmation of scheduled hearings or judicial proceedings concerning their case, which has cast doubt on the legitimacy of the charges and Iran’s treatment of its detainees. According to Noémie, the desire for her sister's return is mixed with demands for improvements to her living conditions. "We want her to be moved to the women’s wing of Evin prison, where she could interact with other incarcerated women and perhaps find some semblance of community," she said, underscoring the human aspect often eclipsed by political narratives.
The situation of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris has sparked outrage and campaigns across France, evoking memories of other high-profile cases of wrongful imprisonment. Their families have collected thousands of letters and signatures on petitions aimed at raising awareness and demanding justice, showing how grassroots movements can amplify voices even from behind prison walls.
With no end to their ordeal visible, Kohler’s and Paris’s supporters continue to rally for their cause, determined to keep their names from fading from the public consciousness. This unwavering solidarity reveals the deeply human element of their story, fighting not just for freedom but for dignity when hope feels distant.
On this Christmas, as they sit beneath the shadows of Evin prison's walls, the world watches as Cécile and Jacques serve as poignant reminders of the urgent need for dialogue on human rights and the treatment of detainees—individuals far more than mere headlines.
