In letters to the Formula One world champion shown to the Guardian, the three current and former political prisoners praise his commitment to pursuing equality, anti-racism and human rights causes and ask that he uses his position as F1’s most recognised and successful driver to bring their plight to a wider audience. “To hear the world champion echo our calls is deeply moving,” writes one imprisoned human rights protester. Another says Hamilton’s stance “could make all the difference”. “We realise we’ve got to face and not ignore the human rights issues in the countries that we go to, not just 20 years, 30 years from now, but now,” he said. “Reading your talk about human rights and the need for change has given me hope,” Yusuf writes. Yusuf continues with an invitation for Hamilton to meet her and other victims of the regime.

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