Unjust Imprisonment Ends for American Hikers in Iran

COMMENTARY | It may seem that there is little good news to be had in the world lately, but this morning's report that the two hikers who had been imprisoned in Iran since July 2009 is a happy one indeed. Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, both 29 years old, were two of three young Americans who had been hiking in the mountains of Iraq when they were arrested over two years ago.

The third hiker, Sarah Shourd, was released last year on bail and has been eagerly awaiting their return in Oakland, Calif. Bauer had proposed marriage to Shourd while they were in prison together. The three had become friends while they were students at the University of California at Berkeley.

The three maintain their innocence in the charges they were held on, and insist they had accidentally strayed over the Iranian border. It is also possible Iranian military forces crossed the border into Iraq to arrest them. The Iranian government accused the three of espionage, though there was no substantiated evidence ever brought against them and the border area between Iraq and Iran is poorly marked.

The Kurdish region of northern Iraq is scenic and relatively peaceful. The hikers were enjoying a recreational adventure and have no ties to the U.S. government. Shourd was about to return to her job teaching Iraqi refugees. Bauer was a freelance journalist. Fattal was on vacation visiting friends after working as a teaching fellow on an international honors program study trip.

The three young people all have outstanding records as students as well as being documented advocates for social and environmental justice.

To hold such people behind bars is a crime against humanity President Obama, as well as many celebrities and well-known human rights activists, have protested their imprisonment. Just last month, Bauer and Fattal were sentenced to eight years in prison based on the espionage and illegal entry charges; at this point in time, there are no details as to what changed over the last few weeks.

Amnesty International called the release a "long overdue step," reports The Associated Press. As of Wednesday morning Bauer and Fattal have been flown out of Iran and will hopefully be back in the United States soon so they can finally be reunited with their family and friends who have waited anxiously for their release.