*The case of Dr. Aafia, a burning question for world's conscience*
Written by: Ismat Usama.
Immediate release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is the talk of the town these days. Dr. Fauzia Siddiqui, along with Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan (of Jamat e Islami) and Mr. Clive Smith(a human rights lawyer) reached America for the release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a hafiza e Quran, a pious women and a PhD scholar.
Dr. Aafia has been remained in US custody for 20 years. After much efforts ,her sister Dr. Fauzia succeeded to meet her in Carswell jail but the two sisters were not allowed to touch or hug each other. They could only see behind a glass and talked on phone, even their call was being recorded. Dr. Fauzia was not given permission to show pictures of children to her sister.
Afia a well educated lady from American universities of MIT and Brandies, had completed her PhD in cognitive neuroscience and was well known by her humanitarian relief work as well as her mission of preaching Islam in America. She had spent almost 12 years in United States. She was divorced by her husband and decided to return to her homeland in March 2003,with her three children but unfortunately, all of them had been kidnapped by some American agencies in doubt of terrorists. Later, news appeared that Dr. Aafia is in Bagram Detention Centre in Afghanistan. She was charged with an attempt to kill a US soldier, although she herself was injured by a bullet in her belly. After news on media , she was brought to America and American Court gave her sentence of 86 years, inspite of having no proof of her crime, even the supposed gun had no fingerprints of Aafia . Now she is imprisoned at FMC Carswell jail, which is also called "pit of hell".She has been deprived of prisoner's rights. She is a delicate woman, a mother, a sister but is deprived of even basic human rights. Her four teeth have been broken. She listens hardly due to hitting behind her head. Her health is very weak . Her mother has been passed away waiting for her release. Dr. Aafia has been suffered and tortured for 20 long years. Therefore, it is not only the demand of Pakistanies but of the whole Muslim community around the world to free Aafia.
Ramzey Clark, former US Attorney General and International Law Expert said,
"The case of Dr. aafia Siddiqui, is the worst case of individual injustice, I have ever seen".
According to Islamic law, a Muslim woman is 'an honor of her nation' , if she is captured by any non-muslim, it becomes the duty of her country's ruler to get her free by any means. So, Pak government should take a firm stance and negotiate with Us to bring Dr Aafia back to Pakistan. Now the 'war on terror' has also ended and circumstances have changed too.
Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has stated that the key of her freedom, is not in America but here in Islamabad.
We demand our government to write official letter to US for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and negotiate in this regard. This is 'the matter of honour of Pakistan'.
The case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui's human rights, is a burning question for the conscience of entire world.
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