Cageprisoners.com
3rd May 2004, 10:48 AM
WORLD EXCLUSIVE from Cageprisoners.com!!!!
A Message from Mrs. Jahida Sayyadi, Mother of Bisher al-Rawi
To read more about Iraqi national, British resident, Bisher al-Rawi, click here (http://www.cageprisoners.com/prisoners.php?pri_id=259)
I am not going to talk about my son’s detention in Guantanamo using this sort of sentimental vernacular that is expected from an agonised mother. The unexpected arrest of my two sons, one of whom was released, and the other is still kept a prisoner in one of the most petrifying places in the world, has naturally left its tragic impact on my personal life and the lives of the other members of my family. Yes, the horrifying event has rendered me very emotional, strained and ragged by anxiety – for it is my beloved son whose destiny and life are in jeopardy. Naturally, there will always be people to sympathise and provide all kinds of support to a mother in my traumatised situation. And actually, I have been given emotional support and have been told to be patient and strong, and that eventually there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Yet I urge those who read this to react to it rationally, rather than emotionally, if they can, and if an absolute separation between emotions and rationality is possible!
I am truly thankful to all those who tried, or have been trying, to be a great help to me. At the moment, however, it is not my prior concern to expose you to the sort of suffering I have been through as a mother. For, I am thriving through this appeal to make people see that what a threat and what a bereavement once rules, conventions, principles, systems and morals are violated by those very people who are believed to have set out standards thereof, by those who are constantly blaming or punishing others for not implementing human rights democracy, and for not being “civilised”. I will try my best not to sound sullenly and grumpily subjective, self-pitying or even biased since I am talking about a personal experience – and who can afford not to be when the victim is one’s own son!! However, it is my intention here to present and discuss facts and ask people to judge the event of my son’s detention on the basis of these facts.
All judicial laws and all divine doctrines make it clear that verdicts cannot and should not be made until the accused is taken to the court and allowed to defend him/herself. Verdicts follow hearing sessions; they are based on evidence and investigations in addition to so many other legal procedures. The kind of sentence the judges and the jury reach is determined by the rationale and solidity of attestations and proofs submitted in the court. Yet my son was denied not only a fair trial, but also an accusation statement.
The appalling and dehumanizing conditions of the Guantanamo prisoners are no longer a hidden reality. Those who have been detained and released speak about their turmoil in the prison with lots of sadness, frustration that is not devoid of anger. It is taking them months and months to recover from their excruciating experiences – that is, if they ever completely recover. The appalling conditions constitute an overt and shocking violation of all international and universal conventions and declarations stating how a prisoner of war should be treated or human rights be retained. Even worse is the fact that many of those young men are being detained for no declared or identified criminal act. Is it being labelled as Iraqi, or as a Muslim, sufficient grounds for random condemnations and for the cruellest type of imprisonment? Who is in charge of the Guantanamo jails? Is it not the country to be reputed for its unequivocal leadership in safeguarding emancipation values, democracy, individual liberty, human rights, freedom of speech, human dignity, the right to self determination and equality? Are the above the sole rights of one nation or one race and not the other? Does not this reflect an obvious double standard in application and unbridgeable gap between theory and practice? Terrorism is a fatal sin and killing innocent people can never be a forgivable act. Yet, to terrorise, to dehumanise, to torture and to hold innocent people captives of the worst and most demoralising conditions in the name of fighting terrorism is also, in itself, an act of terrorism.
The Guantanamo detainees, whether proven guilty or not, are deprived of so many, if not all, of their human rights. The physical and psychological pressure they undergo is beyond any description. They are not allowed any sort of contact with the outer world, neither with their families nor with any other organisations. They are denied lawyers and access to any official and non official parties, even those internationally acknowledged parties, to help them get acquitted. The pressure and torture they go through also creeps to their families, friends and beloved ones. It does break my heart that I know nothing about my son (please forgive me now for falling into the trap of sentimentalism and not keeping my promise – it seems I cannot help it, so forgive me for being a mother!!). It really aches to know that a severe punishment is being inflicted on my son for no reason other than his ambition to carry on with a positive energy he once felt and which led him to work on a productive project in Gambia.
Bisher had a vision and decided to follow it along with his brother and friend. He never knew that the cost for believing in his vision would be unaffordable. The educational environment of t he schools that Bisher attended in England encouraged students to cherish their creativity and develop their own special skills. His keenness on making a difference by starting work of his own and utilising his own potential was expected. He thought that the coffee project in Gambia would help him realise his dream to be an independent businessman. Since his early childhood, Bisher has had a lot of good potential and skills. I, his mother, have always worked hard to develop this potential in him. It never occurred to me or him that he would pay a ruthless penalty for being skilful and imaginary.
Those who have been close to Bisher are shocked to learn of his detention, knowing him and knowing the sorts of positive and creative activities he has been involved in – activities that are all exercised in the light. Some are even in a state of shock. Bisher does not deserve what is happening to him. It is a disgrace when ambitious youths are held prisoners by authorities belonging to countries presenting themselves as the defenders of the youths’ dreams and freedom.
As I mention earlier, it is not sympathy that I am seeking from readers by writing this. But what is the rational behind jailing three persons for the same accusations and under the same conditions and then releasing two and keeping one? My family fled the Saddam regime almost twenty years ago. We sought, in Britain, peace and justice. My daughter, my eldest son and myself have become British citizens. The only one who has retained his Iraqi nationality is my son, Bisher. Is this a criminal offence for which he deserves detention in one of the darkest places in the world?
I am not urging you to devise special rules to help my son out of his torment. I am not seeking sympathy and soothing words. All what I beseech is that go by your own books and help us implement your rules. Allow him a fair trial. Deal with him in accordance with the rules which you take lots of pride before the whole world on setting out and embracing. Go back to the Geneva Conventions, to human rights declarations, and to hundreds and hundreds of documents that have been signed and endorsed to secure the human dignity and rights to a decent living. Almost not a single day passes without hearing on the news an official condemnation, or criticism, or denunciation of countries and individuals for not abiding by those declarations or conventions.
I have raised my son to respect the rights of others. I tried my utmost best to enable him to understand and respect the law. And I think I have done a good job. I know that some might argue that I am his mother and I am not expected to say otherwise. But there are other witnesses, from Britain and from outside Britain. They can tell that Bisher has never broken any rule and has only been particularly keen on giving. So do not exempt his from your rules. I seek justice and not forgiveness. My son has does nothing to be forgiven for. A close look at his case, a careful reading of his records, and a conscientious and conscious investigation of the circumstances surrounding his arrest can only tell that my son has been unjustly treated.
Study his case and go to his files wherever they are. Expose it all. We have nothing to be shy of. Please do take him by your own rules. And I am ready for the consequences.
A Message from Mrs. Jahida Sayyadi, Mother of Bisher al-Rawi
To read more about Iraqi national, British resident, Bisher al-Rawi, click here (http://www.cageprisoners.com/prisoners.php?pri_id=259)
I am not going to talk about my son’s detention in Guantanamo using this sort of sentimental vernacular that is expected from an agonised mother. The unexpected arrest of my two sons, one of whom was released, and the other is still kept a prisoner in one of the most petrifying places in the world, has naturally left its tragic impact on my personal life and the lives of the other members of my family. Yes, the horrifying event has rendered me very emotional, strained and ragged by anxiety – for it is my beloved son whose destiny and life are in jeopardy. Naturally, there will always be people to sympathise and provide all kinds of support to a mother in my traumatised situation. And actually, I have been given emotional support and have been told to be patient and strong, and that eventually there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. Yet I urge those who read this to react to it rationally, rather than emotionally, if they can, and if an absolute separation between emotions and rationality is possible!
I am truly thankful to all those who tried, or have been trying, to be a great help to me. At the moment, however, it is not my prior concern to expose you to the sort of suffering I have been through as a mother. For, I am thriving through this appeal to make people see that what a threat and what a bereavement once rules, conventions, principles, systems and morals are violated by those very people who are believed to have set out standards thereof, by those who are constantly blaming or punishing others for not implementing human rights democracy, and for not being “civilised”. I will try my best not to sound sullenly and grumpily subjective, self-pitying or even biased since I am talking about a personal experience – and who can afford not to be when the victim is one’s own son!! However, it is my intention here to present and discuss facts and ask people to judge the event of my son’s detention on the basis of these facts.
All judicial laws and all divine doctrines make it clear that verdicts cannot and should not be made until the accused is taken to the court and allowed to defend him/herself. Verdicts follow hearing sessions; they are based on evidence and investigations in addition to so many other legal procedures. The kind of sentence the judges and the jury reach is determined by the rationale and solidity of attestations and proofs submitted in the court. Yet my son was denied not only a fair trial, but also an accusation statement.
The appalling and dehumanizing conditions of the Guantanamo prisoners are no longer a hidden reality. Those who have been detained and released speak about their turmoil in the prison with lots of sadness, frustration that is not devoid of anger. It is taking them months and months to recover from their excruciating experiences – that is, if they ever completely recover. The appalling conditions constitute an overt and shocking violation of all international and universal conventions and declarations stating how a prisoner of war should be treated or human rights be retained. Even worse is the fact that many of those young men are being detained for no declared or identified criminal act. Is it being labelled as Iraqi, or as a Muslim, sufficient grounds for random condemnations and for the cruellest type of imprisonment? Who is in charge of the Guantanamo jails? Is it not the country to be reputed for its unequivocal leadership in safeguarding emancipation values, democracy, individual liberty, human rights, freedom of speech, human dignity, the right to self determination and equality? Are the above the sole rights of one nation or one race and not the other? Does not this reflect an obvious double standard in application and unbridgeable gap between theory and practice? Terrorism is a fatal sin and killing innocent people can never be a forgivable act. Yet, to terrorise, to dehumanise, to torture and to hold innocent people captives of the worst and most demoralising conditions in the name of fighting terrorism is also, in itself, an act of terrorism.
The Guantanamo detainees, whether proven guilty or not, are deprived of so many, if not all, of their human rights. The physical and psychological pressure they undergo is beyond any description. They are not allowed any sort of contact with the outer world, neither with their families nor with any other organisations. They are denied lawyers and access to any official and non official parties, even those internationally acknowledged parties, to help them get acquitted. The pressure and torture they go through also creeps to their families, friends and beloved ones. It does break my heart that I know nothing about my son (please forgive me now for falling into the trap of sentimentalism and not keeping my promise – it seems I cannot help it, so forgive me for being a mother!!). It really aches to know that a severe punishment is being inflicted on my son for no reason other than his ambition to carry on with a positive energy he once felt and which led him to work on a productive project in Gambia.
Bisher had a vision and decided to follow it along with his brother and friend. He never knew that the cost for believing in his vision would be unaffordable. The educational environment of t he schools that Bisher attended in England encouraged students to cherish their creativity and develop their own special skills. His keenness on making a difference by starting work of his own and utilising his own potential was expected. He thought that the coffee project in Gambia would help him realise his dream to be an independent businessman. Since his early childhood, Bisher has had a lot of good potential and skills. I, his mother, have always worked hard to develop this potential in him. It never occurred to me or him that he would pay a ruthless penalty for being skilful and imaginary.
Those who have been close to Bisher are shocked to learn of his detention, knowing him and knowing the sorts of positive and creative activities he has been involved in – activities that are all exercised in the light. Some are even in a state of shock. Bisher does not deserve what is happening to him. It is a disgrace when ambitious youths are held prisoners by authorities belonging to countries presenting themselves as the defenders of the youths’ dreams and freedom.
As I mention earlier, it is not sympathy that I am seeking from readers by writing this. But what is the rational behind jailing three persons for the same accusations and under the same conditions and then releasing two and keeping one? My family fled the Saddam regime almost twenty years ago. We sought, in Britain, peace and justice. My daughter, my eldest son and myself have become British citizens. The only one who has retained his Iraqi nationality is my son, Bisher. Is this a criminal offence for which he deserves detention in one of the darkest places in the world?
I am not urging you to devise special rules to help my son out of his torment. I am not seeking sympathy and soothing words. All what I beseech is that go by your own books and help us implement your rules. Allow him a fair trial. Deal with him in accordance with the rules which you take lots of pride before the whole world on setting out and embracing. Go back to the Geneva Conventions, to human rights declarations, and to hundreds and hundreds of documents that have been signed and endorsed to secure the human dignity and rights to a decent living. Almost not a single day passes without hearing on the news an official condemnation, or criticism, or denunciation of countries and individuals for not abiding by those declarations or conventions.
I have raised my son to respect the rights of others. I tried my utmost best to enable him to understand and respect the law. And I think I have done a good job. I know that some might argue that I am his mother and I am not expected to say otherwise. But there are other witnesses, from Britain and from outside Britain. They can tell that Bisher has never broken any rule and has only been particularly keen on giving. So do not exempt his from your rules. I seek justice and not forgiveness. My son has does nothing to be forgiven for. A close look at his case, a careful reading of his records, and a conscientious and conscious investigation of the circumstances surrounding his arrest can only tell that my son has been unjustly treated.
Study his case and go to his files wherever they are. Expose it all. We have nothing to be shy of. Please do take him by your own rules. And I am ready for the consequences.