It's 8:15pm in Afghanistan right now. And at this time, 10 days ago, I was sitting in an eight-foot-by-eight-foot cell in the basement of a maximum-security prison in Kabul, where I was being held captive by the Taliban. I'd been in that cell for 104 days, and yet, I was one of the lucky ones.
阿富汗現在是晚間8:15分。 而在十天前的這個時候, 我正坐在一個八乘八英尺大的監牢中, 位於喀布爾最高安全等級監獄的地下室裡, 我被塔利班俘虜了。 我在那個監牢裡待了104天, 但我確算是幸運的。
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me go back to the beginning. This is me. I'm five years old and living in an Afghan refugee camp in Peshawar, Pakistan. You can see the two patches on my UNHCR-donated jeans. One patch is an American flag and the other is the Statue of Liberty, the quintessential beacons of the American dream I so badly wanted. But as a refugee, I didn't have a state to call home. And not having a state, I didn't have rights. And not having rights, I didn't have a voice. I needed someone to advocate for me. And I was fortunate to have two advocates. My parents, who had emigrated to the US four years ahead of me, fought tirelessly to get me to America for those four years. They gave me a voice. They gave me the American dream. And my parents' advocacy allowed me to join them, to emigrate to Omaha, Nebraska, to go to high school in the states to serve in the military, to graduate as a Tillman Scholar from Georgetown University, to get accepted into medical school. I became the American dream.
但我已經超前太多了。 讓我從頭開始講起吧。 這是我。 這時我五歲,並且居住在位於 白沙瓦,巴基斯坦的阿富汗難民營中。 在我穿著由UNHCR捐贈的牛仔褲上, 你可以看到兩個刺繡布貼。 一個布貼是美國國旗, 另一個則是自由女神, 這些不朽的經典指標, 均代表者我所嚮往的『美國夢』。 但身為一個難民, 我並沒有一個能夠稱為家的國家。 而正因為沒有國家,我沒有任何權利。 而因為沒有權利,我沒有一個聲音。 我需要能夠為我發聲的人。 而我很幸運的有兩個人願意為我發聲。 我的父母,早我四年移民到美國, 在那四年中,他們為我奮力爭取 使我能夠來到美國。 他們給了我一個聲音。 他們給了我「美國夢」。 而因為我父母的聲援,使我得以跟他們一樣, 移民到奧馬哈,内布拉斯加州, 得以在美國上高中, 得以在軍隊中服役, 得以Tillman Scholar的身份 從喬治城大學畢業, 並得以錄取進入醫學院就讀。 我成為了「美國夢」。
(Cheers and applause)
(歡呼聲及掌聲)
And in my dream, everything came full circle. This past summer, I deferred one dream for another when I put medical school on hold, founded Human First Coalition, an organization dedicated to aiding Afghans in need. Having spent the first 17 years of my life stateless, I rather abruptly found myself in the role of the humanitarian aid worker who had shaped so much of my life. I became that advocate and that voice for others. And becoming an aid worker, I got to provide food, medical care and shelter for thousands of Afghans. I got to operate resettlement flights for thousands more, and I got to make multiple trips to Kabul, with the Taliban’s blessing, to oversee it all.
而在我的夢中, 一切都繞回了最初的原點。 在過去的這個夏季中, 我為了一個夢想而暫緩了另一個, 我將醫學院暫緩, 並創立了Human First Coalition, 一個致力於幫助陷入困境中的 阿富汗人民的組織。 在無國籍下度過我人生的前17年後, 我赫然發現我正在扮演 一個深切影響我人生的角色, 人道救援的工作人員。 我成為了聲援者,成為了他人的聲音。 並且在成為救援的工作人員後, 我能為數千民的阿富汗人民提供 食物、醫療服務及庇護的處所。 我能為數千民的阿富汗人民 組織重新安置的班機, 並且在塔利班的允許下, 數次前往喀布爾監督一切的進行。
But then, on December 18, 2021, everything changed. That morning, which started off like any other morning, I was suddenly, inexplicably and unexpectedly taken into Taliban custody. As I was being driven to the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence headquarters, I was told that I just needed to answer a few routine questions, and then I’d be sent back to my hotel. Instead, a few hours later, I was brought into that basement room. Three roommates, no blanket, no mattress, no pillow, no sun, no way to communicate with the outside world and no clue what was to become of me. And from that moment on, I stayed in that basement in the dead of the Afghan winter, for 105 days.
但在2021年12月18日,一切都改變了。 那天早上,如其他早晨般一樣的開始, 但我突然、莫名、意外的 被塔利班拘束了人身自由。 在我被開車帶往塔利班的情報總局時, 我被告知只需回答幾個例行性的問題後, 我就會被帶回我的飯店。 但是在數小時後,我被帶到了一個地下室的房間裡。 三個室友,沒有棉被、沒有床墊、 沒有枕頭、沒有太陽, 也沒有能夠跟外界通訊的方法, 並且對於我的未來也一無所知。 從那之後,我持續待在那個地下室裡, 正值阿富汗嚴寒的冬天中,待了105天。
The entire time, I feared that I might be taken in front of a firing squad, at any minute. And on the 45th day, I was beaten and tortured by 11 men wielding pipes, after eight days on a hunger strike. I had done nothing wrong.
那整段期間裡,我害怕我隨時可能會 被帶到行刑隊的槍口前。 在第45天時, 經過了8天的絕食後, 我被11名手持管子的男子毆打及虐待。 我什麼也沒做錯。
But again, I was lucky. I not only had several exceptional advocates, but I had a state. The US government game me a voice and asserted my human rights, and that's what ultimately led to my release 10 days ago.
但再一次的,我很幸運。 我不僅有數個傑出的聲援者, 我更有一個國家。 美國政府給了我一個聲音, 並且堅定主張我的人權, 而最終成功使我能被釋放, 這是十天前所發生的事情。
(Applause)
(掌聲)
And on the day of my release, following a four-hour flight from Kabul to Qatar, the euphoria I felt as I walked off that plane is indescribable. But amidst the triumph and joy of homecoming, something was amiss. On the day of my release, I returned to society to find that the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan was only getting worse, the whole world was fixated on Ukraine, and nearly every Afghan resettlement effort was on pause or had ground to a screeching halt, with no effective resolution in sight. And that was a huge letdown. And that is why I decided that before even visiting my family, I had to get back to work. Because the truth of the matter is 95 percent of Afghans are currently not getting enough to eat. 22.8 million are facing crisis levels of hunger. 97 percent are living below the poverty line. And 9 million are living in extreme poverty. And these are the individuals who fought alongside us in the international coalition for the last 20 years. They are our allies. They are our brothers and sisters, and they are in desperate straits.
而在我被釋放的那天, 經過四小時從喀布爾抵達卡達後, 我走下飛機時所感受到的欣快感, 無法用言語形容。 但在重返家園所感受到的榮耀及快樂中, 卻存有一絲的缺憾。 在我被釋放的那天, 我回歸社會後發現阿富汗的人道危機 變得更加嚴峻, 全世界的人都緊盯著烏克蘭, 而幾乎每個協助阿富汗人民重新安置計畫, 皆被暫緩或嘎然而止, 而眼前並無任何有效的解決方案。 這使我無比失望。 而這就是為什麼我甚至在還沒見到家人前, 我就已經決定了, 我必須重返工作。 因為事實的真相是, 目前大約有百分之95的阿富汗人民 並沒有足夠的糧食。 兩千兩百八十萬人正面臨飢餓的危機。 百分之九十七的人生活在貧窮線之下。 並且九百萬人生活在極度貧困中。 這些人是在過去20年中, 與我們在國際聯盟裡並肩作戰的人。 他們是我們的盟友。 他們是我們的兄弟姐妹, 而他們正陷入窘境中。
The magnitude of the work ahead is staggering. But we have to start somewhere. And the question becomes "What should we do?" In my mind, four things.
眼前所需要完成的工作令人震懾。 但我們總要從某個地方開始。 因此問題將會是「我們該做什麼呢?」 在我看來,有四件事情。
First, we must bolster humanitarian aid provisions for the international community by increasing support for and donations to grassroots organizations that have infrastructure to ensure aid is getting directly into the hands of the people who need it the most. And that's not just my organization -- there are so many support-worthy groups doing exceptional work in Afghanistan, and we need resources now.
第一,我們必須強化國際社會中 對於人道救援的支持, 透過提供更多的幫助及捐贈 給擁有足夠的基礎設施, 而得以確保物資能夠直接落入 最需要人們手中的民間組織。 那不只是我的組織。 有許多值得支持的團體 正在阿富汗進行傑出的工作, 而我們立即需要資源。
Second, we, government and citizens of the 36 countries who fought in Afghanistan must keep our promises to our Afghan allies, to whom we owe a debt, by fast-tracking their resettlement, be it in the United States or elsewhere.
第二,我們、政府 及曾在阿富汗打仗的36國人民, 必須對於我們的阿富汗盟友們堅守我們的承諾, 這是我們所虧欠他們的, 我們需要加速他們的重新安置, 無論是在美國或其他地方都一樣。
(Applause)
(掌聲)
This, first and foremost, necessitates resettling refugees who are currently waiting in camps around the world, to reach a place that they can call home. It also calls upon the international community to increase quotas for Afghan allies to accept more at-risk Afghans for permanent resettlement and to expand programs like humanitarian parole, to generate more pathways for those in need.
最首要的,必須將在世界各地 於營區等待的難民重新安置, 安置到一個他們得以稱為家的地方。 國際社會也必須對於阿富汗盟友們 提供更多的員額, 接收更多處於危險的阿富汗人民, 使其得以永久定居, 並且擴大如人道主義假釋等計畫, 讓需要的人有更多管道得以選擇。
Third ... As we find pathways forward for these individuals, we must not separate families, we must preserve them.
第三, 在我們為這些人尋找未來的路上, 我們絕對不能將家庭拆散, 我們必須保全他們。
(Applause)
(掌聲)
Or, at the very least, create strict limits for the amount of time that families can be separated. Family separation like mine generates irreparable harm. But clear and specific change to existing admission policies can ensure that other minors do not face the same fate that befell me and my family.
或至少,對於家庭得以被分開的時間 樹立嚴格的限制, 家庭的分開,如我曾經歷過的, 會產生無法恢復的傷害。 針對現行錄取政策進行明確、具體的改變 可以確保其他未成年人不會面臨, 我跟我家人曾經的命運。
Fourth -- and this is the most important of them all -- we must reestablish an international diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, to hold the Taliban accountable for their actions and provide consular services to the people. It opens a channel to address Taliban’s actions, rather than cutting off, isolating and eliminating avenues for influence. And I've witnessed what engagement with the Taliban can look like firsthand. The negotiations that resulted in my release from captivity were the direct result of effective diplomacy with the Taliban on the world stage. Diplomats spoke to each other openly and resolved an issue of mutual concern. And while the success of this discussion is perhaps an anomaly, the kind of diplomacy demonstrated by my release can and should serve as a model for achieving other desired change for the future of Afghanistan, such as the restoration of girls' education above grade six, freedom of press, bolstering women's rights, and most urgently, increasing humanitarian assistance. At the same time --
第四,也是最重要的, 我們必須重新建立在阿富汗的國際外交局勢, 以追究塔利班行為的責任, 並且提供使館服務於人們。 與其將他們切割, 這可以提供一個指摘塔利班行為的管道, 否則只會孤立並減少我們發揮影響力的媒介。 而我親眼見證與塔利班交涉的樣貌。 促成我被釋放的談判, 是在世界舞台上與塔利班進行 有效外交交涉所促成的結果。 外交官們彼此間敞開的溝通, 並且解決一個彼此共同關心的事項。 雖然這次溝通的成功,或許並不常見, 但促成我被釋放的外交交涉, 可以也應該被視為, 未來在阿富汗所期望達到改變的模範, 例如,恢復六年級以上女童的教育, 新聞自由,女性權利的加強, 並且最急迫的,增加人道救援的協助。 同時
(Applause)
(掌聲)
At the same time, our diplomacy can't be a blank check. The Taliban must live up to their end of the bargain to demonstrate that they are ready to engage in diplomacy, as an actor that upholds basic human rights, that ensures necessary freedoms and that does not take or hold hostages.
同時,我們外交政策不應是一張空白支票。 塔利班必須履行他們的承諾, 展現出他們已經準備好進行外交交涉, 作為維護基本人權, 而使必要自由得以確保的行動家, 並且不綁架或俠持人質。
(Applause)
(掌聲)
At the end of the day, the situation in Afghanistan is an extremely complex one. It can't be summed up in an eight-minute talk I wrote four days ago, emerging from captivity. Yet there are tangible solutions, and I'm in the privileged position of being able to advocate for them, but I'm here today to tell you that you are too. The truth of the matter is, especially in the case of Afghanistan, change has always and will continue to start with everyday people. This fall, tens of thousands of people from around the world banded together at the grassroots level to aid Afghans in need. You don't need to be an expert to engage, to volunteer, to contribute, to lobby, or even to simply welcome a refugee to advocate for them. As Margaret Mead once said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
最終,阿富汗的情勢極為複雜。 一個我在四天前被釋放後,所撰寫的八分鐘演講, 並無法完整的涵蓋所有。 但的確存在著明確的解決方案, 而我有幸處於一個得為他們發聲的位子, 但我今日要告訴各位的是,其實你們也是。 事實的真相是, 尤以在阿富汗的情況更是如此, 改變,從古至今都必須從一般庶民開始。 這個秋天,數十萬人將從世界各地 匯聚於阿富汗,幫助基層的阿富汗人民。 你不需要是個專家也可以參與、 成為志工、提供幫助、遊說、 或甚至是歡迎一個難民到來,並為他們聲援。 瑪格麗特·米德曾說, 『切勿懷疑,那一小群細心且堅定的公民 就足以改變整個世界。 實際上,真正變革一直以來都是 由一小群人所完成的。』
On the afternoon of my release 10 days ago, I, at long last, climbed out of my basement cell and into the sunlight, without anything binding my hands or covering my eyes. I could see the sky. I traveled out of the prison through Kabul city in a Corolla sedan. I passed the American embassy and arrived at the Kabul International Airport. I walked onto the tarmac, I climbed into the C-17, I shook hands with American, Qatari and British diplomats, and suddenly, I was a free man again.
在十天前我被釋放的那個下午, 我終於爬出那個位於地下室的監牢, 並進入太陽的照耀, 在雙手未受束縛、雙眼未被遮蔽下, 我能看到天空了。 我從監獄乘著一台Corolla Sedan穿越喀布爾市。 我經過了美國大使館,並抵達喀布爾國際機場。 我走過停機坪,並爬上了C-17運輸機, 我與美國、卡達、英國的外交官握手, 在這一刻,我重獲自由之身。
But again, I was one of the lucky ones. Ultimately, being a captive reminded me of a time when I was helpless and needed a voice. Now that I'm released, I have my voice back, and, mercifully, it puts me in a position where I can advocate for that little boy with the Statue of Liberty patch on his UNHCR-donated jeans, chasing the American dream.
但再次,我是幸運的。 最終,成為俘虜的經驗讓我回想到了 曾經感到無助且需要有人為我發聲的時候。 現在我被釋放後,我的聲音也回歸了, 並且很幸運的,使我站在一個能夠發聲的位子, 能夠聲援那位追著美國夢,穿著由UNHCR所捐贈, 且繡有自由女神補貼牛仔褲的小男孩。
I hope you'll join me.
我希望你們能與我一起。
(Applause)
(掌聲)