Afghanistan Evacuation Efforts

Watch our documentary Changing Lives through Pro Bono showcasing the reunification of an Afghan family.

Women’s rights activist Shannon Galpin has been supporting women cyclists from Afghanistan for over a decade. Back in 2009, she met Zakia Mohammadi, a young woman leading the cycling revolution in Afghanistan in her hometown Bamiyan. Over the following years Shannon supported Zakia and many other young women in Afghanistan in gaining mobility, setting up sports clubs and participating in races. Riding their bikes soon became a symbol of freedom, empowerment and equality for Afghan women. Threatened by the rise of the Taliban, Zakia’s live was in serious danger and she was forced to flee her home; not knowing if she would ever see her family again...

This powerful and poignant short documentary shows how Hogan Lovells pro bono efforts supported civilians to evacuate from Afghanistan and enable families to reunite in a safe environment. This inspirational work was led by Managing Partner, Clients & Industries, Ina Brock.

Through our work with Shannon Galpin, founder of Mountain2Mountain, which supports the Afghan National Women's Cycling team, a Hogan Lovells pro bono team assisted with the compilation of names for evacuation and those at risk to provide to relevant Governments to arrange for their safe transit. Hogan Lovells continues to provide information on the specialist visa application process for Afghan refugees and family reunification for a wide range of countries.

Zakia Mohammadi, Co-founder of the Afghan cycling team

Zakia and her family reunited in Germany together with the Hogan Lovells pro bono team

Since the launch of Hogan Lovells emergency fundraising appeal in 2021, there has been a global response to helping the people of Afghanistan. These pro bono and volunteering efforts are examples of our how our commitment to being a Responsible Business makes a difference in supporting those who need it most.

Hogan Lovells lawyers involved:

Film credits:

Project Lead: Mareike van Oosting

Director: Julian Wildgruber (https://madevision.com/)

Director of Photography: Julian Wildgruber

Editor: Julian Wildgruber

Soundmen: Samuel Kaufmann and Dominic Titus

Music & Sound design: Oliver Deuerling (https://oliwoodmusic.com/)

Color Grading: Marcus Adam

Second Camera: Alex Daniels

Courtesy of the documentary film, Afghan Cycles

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