This summer at New Tactics I'm doing a project to get to know human rights advocates, particularly in the twin cities area, a little bit better. It's not always an easy job, and the diversity of individuals that devote their time to struggling for human rights is incredible; the diversity of how they do that is no less impressive. We want to know, what makes them tick? How did they get here? How do they do their work, and what makes them keep at it? I have been conducting interviews with activists in the twin cities area, and now we want to share their insights with you. So listen in, and get to know your human rights community, they've got a lot to offer.

Ottawa, Sept. 2003 — Monia Mazigh holds a procession for the return of her husband, Maher Arar. She's joined by their two children, Barâa (to her side) and Houd (in stroller), her own mother (left) and Maher Arar's mother (right). Photo: Philippe Duhamel.

When I met Monia Mazigh in 2003, she was a dignified, immensely worried lone campaigner for her husband's release. 

On September 25, 2002, Maher Arar left his wife Monia, their 5-year old daughter Barâa and 7-month baby son Houd in Tunisia, where they were vacationing on her side of the family. He had to return to work in Canada. The rest of the family would return later. They bade him farewell and he took a taxi to the airport. 

This was the last time Monia and the kids saw him for over a year.