In a January 2025 interview, Desree Pether discusses the ongoing four-year ordeal since her husband, Robert, was unlawfully detained in Iraq in 2021 over a contract dispute between his employer and the Central Bank of Iraq. While Robert was scheduled to be released on January 8, the family was devastated when new charges were unexpectedly brought against him. Robert’s detention has been declared arbitrary by the UN, and three international courts have sided with his employer, deeming the Central Bank’s claims baseless. Desree expresses her deep frustration with the Australian government, criticizing its inadequate response and calling for Australia to do more to fight for its citizens. She stresses the need for accountability and consequences for those responsible.

How is the family coping with Robert’s prolonged arbitrary detention & the new charges he is facing?

Family is completely devastated. We were counting down over Christmas to the 8th when he should have been released. We even left decorations up and saved him some fruit mince pies.  

New charges are a devastating blow too.  When will it end?  There isn’t one single piece of evidence against him that would stand up in an international court that can’t be manipulated.  He’s innocent and should never have been arrested in the first place in April 2021!

How do you deal with and overcome frustration when things don’t seem to move forward?

There’s only so much I can do.  I’ve learned you can’t make people have compassion no matter how much you show them he’s innocent.  There is very little empathy in the world these days.

How do you stay hopeful and lift Robert’s spirits?

It’s REALLY hard.  We as a family do this thing now where we consciously look for the light.  So we do nice things for people and when something nice happens or someone does something nice for us we acknowledge the good still left in the world.  We send Robert jokes and funny videos and I send him Dad jokes he can inflict on the kids.

What are the toughest parts and main challenges of trying to free Robert?

The toughest part is we are dealing with a Government entity with limitless abilities and it doesn’t matter how much we try and prove he is innocent, this isn’t a court system that respects international law or rule of law or due process so it’s not a simple matter of producing documents that show innocence.  Also Rob and I were only children so we don’t have a big family behind us helping.  It’s just me and a few friends.

Are you getting the support you need from organizations, the media, and others? How could they help more?

I am getting some support and some organizations have been amazing.  Media have been really patient with us having to be silent on occasion and then other times needing to shout from the rooftops.  I really need this to be a global story though and really need other media outlets in the USA and BBC Arabic to talk about it too.

How frequently does the family talk to Robert? How is he holding up?

We are fortunate that Rob has access to his laptop at the moment to help defend himself so we are able to zoom frequently but of course no video either way.  So we haven’t seen him.

Are there any updates on what Australia or Ireland are doing to free Robert after the new charges surfaced?

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said last November if Robert was not released on 8th January and allowed to depart Iraq she would be “seriously concerned.” We are anxiously waiting to find out what that concern looks like.  Especially given the violations of human rights and international law CONTINUE and increase.  Ireland has gone above and beyond to help and continue to look at ways to help.

Has the Australian Government’s involvement in Robert’s case been enough? And what specific actions have you found most helpful or lacking?

Nowhere near enough.  Last November a Senate enquiry into wrongful detention handed down their recommendations.  Most of which I have been begging for for over two years.  The Australian Government needs to fight for their citizens.  There needs to be accountability and consequences for perpetrators like sanctions.

Is there anything else you would like to share or talk about?

Two international courts have ruled completely in Robert’s EMPLOYER’S favour, ICC in 2023 then endorsed in the Netherlands in March 2024 and then on Friday the appeal in the ICC once again ruled completely in Robert’s EMPLOYER’S favour.  So THREE INTERNATIONAL COURTS have now ruled there was no fraud and there is no grounds for imprisonment!  Still they are held.