Yellow ribbon campaign for Anton

Today it is 40 days and 40 nights since Anton Hammerl had any contact with his friends and family.

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Today it is 40 days and 40 nights since former Saturday Star chief photographer Anton Hammerl had any contact with his friends and family.

Now his family are calling on people around the world to don a yellow ribbon, something which has long been used to signify the absence of a loved one.

In London Penny Sukhraj, Anton’s wife, and his mother, Freda Hammerl, will be tying a yellow ribbon around a tree outside their home at midday, as a symbol of Anton’s capture, his being held incommunicado, and the intense longing of family, friends and colleagues to have him home.

From today, his family and friends all over the world will wear yellow ribbons every day until Hammerl is home.

Now, they are calling on people everywhere, and in South Africa in particular, to also join the Free Anton Hammerl Ribbon Campaign by tying a ribbon around a tree, on their car aerial, in other visible spots - or by wearing a ribbon.

“And when people ask you about it tell them that my son is missing in Libya,” says Freda Hammerl, Anton’s mother.

“Tell them that we do not know where he is being held or whether my son is safe. Tell them he has been gone for 40 days.

“Ask them to spread the word that we want proof that Anton is alive and safe and being treated humanely. That we want Anton to call home.”

His wife, Penny Sukhraj, adds, “Hopefully the louder our united voice becomes, the more chance there is of it being heard where Anton is being held.

“We are overwhelmed with the response to Anton’s plight, by so many people. There is growing support from ordinary South Africans and people around the world who are not journalists, ex colleagues or friends. It goes to show how deeply his plight - that of a citizen being captured and held with no basic rights - has touched so many people.”

The family has received thousands of messages of support from ordinary citizens, colleagues and friends.

“The last 40 days have been like an eternal nightmare. Every time a phone rings, your heart misses a beat. Will this be the call? WiIl this be Anton? And every time it has not been. “We want one call from Anton, we want consular access for Anton and we want to start negotiating his return home,” Sukhraj said.

Earlier this week International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane said that the government was in constant contact with the Libyan government. She said the government regularly updated his family about his predicament. Nkoana-Mashabane would not provide details, saying that would compromise his safety.

But Hammerl’s family want proof.

National Press club chairman Yusuf Abramjee said yesterday the minister had agreed to meet a delegation of editors next Tuesday to discuss Hammerl’s situation. - Saturday Star

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/yellow-ribbon-campaign-for-anton-1.1068852

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