Peter and Barbie Reynolds, an elderly couple from the UK, recently experienced a traumatic journey through Afghanistan. Their nightmare started the moment they were arrested on February 1 and must have been monstrous for five and a half months. That couple, aged 80 and 75, sees themselves now ensnared in a barbaric Afghan penal system with no charges. Equally concerned, their family and friends are completely frightened about what this means for them.
For going on half a year, the Reynolds have suffered in appalling circumstances. Reports indicate that Peter has been chained and shackled while in custody, and he recently experienced convulsions on the prison floor. At the same time, Barbie has recently been denied nutrition, leading to a loss of circulation that has caused the extremities to turn blue. Their loved ones, family members and caregivers wish and hope for their physical health and survival. They have been held in dark underground dungeons for the past six weeks.
The Reynolds have spent the last 18 years in Afghanistan, committing their lives and efforts to creating and leading education- and training-based programs. It was their contributions to the CHI community that earned Barbie an invitation. This made her the first woman to receive a certificate of appreciation from the Taliban. Despite all of their beautiful humanitarian work, it has not protected them from the cruel realities of the local justice system.
Now, with family members still searching for answers, the couple’s situation has become more urgent. Together, they have five kids. Among them is Jonathan Reynolds, who recently took to Twitter to advocate for his elderly parents. Jonathan expressed his anguish over their conditions, stating, “How could we possibly leave these people we love in their darkest hour?”
Jonathan continued to elaborate on the values that their parents instilled on them. “They said, one of the best things you can do is live in the service of others. Live to help other people, and you’ll find the greatest joy and the greatest reward,” he said. This spirit of innovation and fighting against all odds is still developing, and is still guiding Jonathan.
Even in the face of these tragic conditions, Jonathan focused on his family’s resolve to honor their mother and father’s desires. “We’ve counted the cost as a family for that. They have always said: ‘If this does happen, don’t trade us for some terrorist who’s in prison, and don’t pay a penny in ransom money’,” he noted. This principle is a reminder of their commitment to doing the right thing when it was most difficult to do so.
Although only preliminary reports of their conditions have emerged so far, public outrage over what has happened has spread like wildfire. Some on social media have expressed indifference with comments like, “Let them die there, we’re not using British taxpayer money on this.” Some have a more nuanced view. They understand that this call to action is not just an emotional appeal for assistance from concerned children. Jonathan addressed this misconception: “This is not just an emotional plea from some adult kids saying: ‘Somebody help my parents because they were on vacation in a place they shouldn’t have been’.”
As always, even in the heights of this confusion, Jonathan is still committed to continuing this struggle to see his parents released. He reflects on their personalities with fondness, showcasing his family’s resilience and humor even in dark times. “Just hold my beer and I’ll figure this thing out,” he said about how he has gone about driving through this crisis.
The struggles of the Reynolds family encapsulate the fight for larger issues of justice and human rights ongoing in Afghanistan today. As a result, international attention has turned to their case. Parents, caregivers and families like yours are waiting to hear what will be done to ensure that they are released. The health of that couple is getting worse every day, so the clock is ticking on any intervention that can be done by governments and humanitarian agencies.