Professor Tariq Ramadan is a world renowned academic, scholar and Professor at Oxford University, my father.

Happy birthday Baba ???? May God love you, guide you and protect you. I love you ???? I will always continue to be the voice of the voiceless and fight against injustice as you have always taught me. #BirthdayBehindBars #FreeTariqRamadan

— Maryam Ramadan (@BintBattuta13) August 25, 2018

For the past six months, he has been stuck in a French prison, accused of sexual misconduct.

My father’s case is unique in a number of ways.

For one, his case is riddled with inconsistencies which demonstrate a violation of due process and show that the presumption of innocence, enshrined in French law, has been undermined again and again.

To start with, my father willingly went to a police station in January of this year, in order to deal with the allegations made against him. Whilst this was entirely voluntary, he found himself arrested, put into solitary confinement, denied bail, and denied visits from his family. This is unprecedented in criminal cases of this nature, especially when he voluntarily went to the police station, and has cooperated fully with the investigation.

To add to this, my father has not had access to his legal file which means he has been unable to prepare his own defence. Imagine being imprisoned, stuck in a small dark room for 23 hours a day, being accused of a crime he categorically denies and not being allowed to defend yourself. The situation we find ourselves in as a family is shocking.

How can the presumption of innocence for all accused of any crime be so undermined in the case of my father?

My father has suffered from Multiple Sclerosis since 2014. The chief doctor of Fleury- Merogis Prison found that his condition is incompatible with detention. Yet, my father has been in prison for over 200 days, he has been denied appropriate medical attention and his condition is deteriorating day by day. This is difficult to watch. A once active man who, 7 months ago was an outspoken scholar who demanded justice in all his affairs, is now struggling to walk unassisted.

Tariq Ramadan in a recent interview with Al-Jazeera

Today is my father’s birthday. A day which should be for family, celebration and good memories is ruined because he’s stuck behind bars, in a case full of irregularities which the world is now waking up to.

My family and I are not alone in pointing out these irregularities. Over 159k people have signed an online petition calling for justice and many public figures including Professor Khaled Abou El Fadl, Ken Loach, Peter Oborne, the former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and others have signed an open letter calling for due process.

I ask that anyone reading this who is appalled by what is unfolding in front of our own eyes and who believes in fairness and due process does the same. Today, use #BirthdayBehindBars and #FreeTariqRamadan on Twitter at 5pm (BST) and demand justice for my father.

Tariq Ramadan Supporters say…

It doesn’t matter if you don’t agree with his religious/political opinions. The French justice system is embarrassing itself in its deliberate mishandling of this case. It’s clear that there is some high-level anti-Islam political interest in Dr. Ramadan’s case. #FreeTariqRamadan

— eemi (@eemanabbasi) August 16, 2018

There will be a tweetstorm today at 12pm EST/4pm GMT to mark Tariq Ramadan's birthday and his unjust imprisonment for 7 months+ as France attempts to intimidate the Muslim community in Europe.

All tweets should come under the hashtags: #BirthdayBehindBars #FreeTariqRamadan

— Hossam Gamea (@FromCairoToBx) August 26, 2018

Detention of @TariqRamadan is the murder of Article 6 of European Convention of Human Rights; EU must take notice of the issue -or surrender before what it stands for. Europe as a continent of 'free people' may became a flag-bearer of contradictions.
#FreeTariqRamadan

— Jawad Ahmed Zada (@JawadAhmed_Zada) August 23, 2018

Whatever you think of him personally or your views on the current case, he deserves the right to a fair trial and to be treated fairly by the state as with anything similar! #FreeTariqRamadan #BirthdayBehindBars

— Akiq (@akiqul) August 26, 2018

"Through the case of @TariqRamadan lack of due process, doubt cast on allegations, torture, the French justice system is itself crumbling This is certain, and we know it

But in our silence, so is our humanity We cannot let this happen"#FreeTariqRamadan https://t.co/dORpQT90di pic.twitter.com/g3IuEroyAi

— Azad Ali (@azadaliCCM) August 24, 2018

While we can freely spend time with our families, some have to suffer distance because of failed justice system. Join #FreeTariqRamadan campaign as we call for justice and due process for all individuals who are continuously denied of their basic rights. #birthdaybehindbars https://t.co/Riq78oqFih

— Esnaira Salem (@esnairasalem) August 26, 2018