Oudh Heart is sumptuous, rich and woody.
In 2008 Lush first contributed to the work of the human rights organisation Reprieve. Reprieve provide free legal help to prisoners around the world to secure each person’s right to a fair trial. Lush ran a campaign criticising the use of illegal prisons such as Guantanamo Bay. One of the prisoners, held in Guantanamo Bay without trial was Sami Al-Hajj. He was on hunger strike at the time, being force fed by tube daily. He went through unimaginable torture whilst there.
Over the next two years Lush continued the campaign, political pressure mounted and Lush itself came under fire for getting involved in events that were ‘none of our business’. Then the news came that Sami would be coming home, no charge, free to go. Frail and 55 pounds lighter than the he was when he was captured - but he would be returning. The wife and son he hadn’t seen for seven years were waiting for him as he struggled off the plane.
The news was received with great emotion at Lush as we had all become very attached to the plight of Sami, who, at the time of his illegal imprisonment was an Aljazeera cameraman travelling to Afghanistan with a legitimate visa.
Simon met Sami at our London offices on Carnaby Street after his release. Sami gave them a great speech. He was determined not to let what had happened to him ruin his future. He wanted to create something positive from his ordeal.
Simon was influenced by the incredible resilience and the positive attitude shown by Sami.