FREEtheHikers' photostream

This flickr profile was created by family and friends of Josh, Shane and Sarah to seek support in their work towards their release.

Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd have been detained in Iran since July 31, 2009, when news reports say they accidentally crossed an unmarked border during a hiking trip in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. They were in a peaceful region of Iraq that is increasingly popular with Western tourists.

The three young Americans, all graduates of the University of California at Berkeley, are being held in the Iranian capital, Tehran. Swiss diplomats, who represent U.S. interests in Iran, were permitted to visit Shane, Sarah and Josh on September 29, 2009 for the first time. The hikers’ families have not been able to speak with them, but welcome this progress and hope it will hasten their return home.

Shane, Josh and Sarah care greatly about the world. They admire and respect different cultures and religions and share a love of travel that has taken them to many countries. That’s why they went to Kurdistan, not because they wanted to enter Iran.

The families and friends of the three hikers also created a Website to tell the story of Shane, Josh and Sarah and keep the world informed about their situation. To find out more about the Hikers and their plight, please visit:
The Official Free the Hikers Website.

We hope the Iranian authorities understand that if our children and friends did happen to enter Iran, there can only be one reason: because they made a regrettable mistake and got lost. Please let them return home as soon as possible.

Please join the flickr Free the Hikers Group too! We ask that friends and family go there to add their own photos of Shane Sarah and Josh to our pool, as well as to add your self portraits in your "Free The Hikers" Gear.

Following is a list of other ways to join our efforts to help Free the Hikers:

• Watch Videos at the Free The Hikers YouTube Channel.

• Get your own "Free The Hikers" Gear.

• Become a Fan of FREEtheHikers On Facebook.

• Follow @FREEtheHIkers On Twitter.

• Sign the Petition to Free the Hikers.

• Support Our Efforts at: Free The Hikers Donations.