Action Required : Free the Fort Dix Five

Date : 30th March 2010

Source : Helptheprisoners.org

Background

The Fort-Dix five are five muslim American men who were accused and convicted of terrorism offences involving a US Military installation. The men are Shain, Eljivir and Dritan Duka, all brothers of Albanian descent, Mohammed Shnewer who is of Jordianian descent, and Serdar Tartar of Turkish descent. All five are five more victims of a modern-day witch-hunt against muslims in the United States as part of the so-called “War on Terror”.

The case against them was started when an individual who worked at a Video shop reported them based upon what he perceived to be illegal activity. This “illegal activity” was nothing more than a camping trip, however this individuals own prejudices, disturbed by the site of practising muslim men, reported this video to the FBI. The FBI, rather than accepting that muslims have the same rights to bear arms, camp and hunt as any white American, instead chose to engage in a conspiracy to entrap these individuals in a case costing millions of dollars.

The FBI recruited two career criminals, one an Egyptian by the name of Mahmoud Omar who had been convicted of Bank fraud, the other an Albanian by the name of Besnik Bakalli, a person wanted for murder in his home country and incarcerated at the time of his recruitment by the government. The arrangements were complete immunity from prosecution from any crimes they may have committed, $1500 a week plus all expenses such as rent paid, and permission to bring their families into the United States. High incentives indeed for those without morals.

However, there was a problem. In over 15 months, the informants and provocateurs were not able to get any meaningful evidence that these five men were anything other than good citizens who cared about their religion. The informants tried to incite these five to commit terrorist acts, to plot an attack against the Fort Dix military base, and create a picture of “radical” activity. Some even went as far as to grab these mens laptops and visit “extremist” websites. The five men also told the informants that their obsession with terrorist activity and guns was unhealthy. Despite this, the informants consistently badgered them to purchase weapons for their target practice ( a completely lawful activity in the United States ) , and eventually they relented. Upon delivery of the weapons they were all arrested and charged with terrorism offences.

It transpired that this whole affair was a charade in order to enable Chris Christie to run successfully as Governor of New Jersey. He drove over one hour in order to be present at the photo-call and the arrests. He claimed they were in the “final stages” of an attack, despite the gun purchases had been arranged entirely by the government. He claimed there was a “confession” from a jail cell, a note that the media agreed was fake.

At the trial, in over 400 hours of tape recordings there was not one instance where any of the defendants discussed plans for an attack on Fort Dix or any other person military or civilian. In fact the Duka brothers can be heard on the tape saying it is prohibited to harm civilians, but needless to say this was not presented at trial.

In the trial, the only “evidence” presented were sympathies for the civilian casualties of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as anger at how immigrants are treated in the United States. All of this is indicative of people of conscience, not terrorists.

Unfortunately, owing to the prejudices of the United States these individuals were convicted to serve life sentences despite no evidence being presented, and a media-hungry now-governor seeking to abuse the rights of immigrants so that he may be elected.

We would remind the United States that discrimination on the basis of religion is prohibited under its own constitution. Specifically :-

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

First Amendment, US Constitution.

“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.”

Eighth Amendment, US Consitution

We call on the United States to redress this wrong that has been committed against its citizens and free the Fort Dix 5 immediately.

Actions Required

Contact the Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, demanding that he free these individuals
Contact the Attorney General of the USA, demanding the same
Contact the United States Ambassador in your country, advising of this situation
Write to those affected in the Case offering your sympathy and support

It is obligatory on the Ummah to support those imprisoned for their deen

Remember that it is an obligation that we support our brothers and sisters in prison, and this support includes emotional support, caring about their affairs and making representations for their freedom.

Ibn Umar(ra) narrated that the Prophet(saw) said :“A Muslim is a brother of (another) Muslim, he neither wrongs him nor does hand him over to one who does him wrong. If anyone fulfils his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfil his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection.”
(Bukhari)

Key Contacts

Chris Christie, Governor
Office of the Governor
PO Box 001
Trenton, NJ 08625
United States of America
Email : Office of the Governor | Contact Us

Eric Holder, Attorney General
US Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20530-0001
United States of America

Email : AskDOJ@usdoj.gov

Sample Letter

Dear ,

I am writing to you concerning five individuals who are serving sentences between 30 years and life for offences that they did not commit and is yet another example of a miscarriage of justice for poltical ends.

The Fort-Dix five are five muslim American men who were accused and convicted of terrorism offences involving a US Military installation. The men are Shain, Eljivir and Dritan Duka, all brothers of Albanian descent, Mohammed Shnewer who is of Jordianian descent, and Serdar Tartar of Turkish descent.

There are numerous catalogues of errors presented at the trial. In over 400 hours of tape recordings there was not one instance where any of the defendants discussed plans for an attack on Fort Dix or any other person military or civilian. In fact the Duka brothers can be heard on the tape saying it is prohibited to harm civilians, but needless to say this was not presented at trial.

In the trial, the only “evidence” presented were sympathies for the civilian casualties of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as anger at how immigrants are treated in the United States. All of this is indicative of people of conscience, not terrorists. Unfortunately, owing to the prejudices of the United States these individuals were convicted to serve life sentences despite no evidence being presented and there being not even an iota of proof that there was any such “Fort Dix” plot.

Under the US Constitution, there are rights guaranteed which have been forgotten in this case.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

First Amendment, US Constitution.

“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.”

Eighth Amendment, US Consitution

I would urge you to immediately free these five muslim men and offer them your apologies for the pain that the US Government has inflicted upon them.

Regards,

Prisoners Mental Health Deteriorating at Wakefield

Date : 28th March 2010

Source : Helptheprisoners.org

Background

Naveed Bhatti is 30 Years old, and currently serving a 20 year sentence in the United Kingdom at Wakefield Prison after being found guilty of terrorism offences. Since his incarceration, his condition has deteriorated to such an extent that his family fear for his safety.

He suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), a psychological condition that worsens if left untreated or subjected to extreme stress. The sufferers of this condition which is classified as an anxiety disorder, frequently may appear psychotic, paranoid and withdrawn. In Naveeds case, when his father attended a visit, he felt that his condition had deteriorated, fixated with cleaning and washing repeatedly after such innocuous actions as opening a door.

Despite all this. The prison service instead of being sympathetic towards his condition and arranging for psychological treatment, they seem to almost take a delight in antagonising it. He is subjected to repeated cell-searches with dogs, in which the dog saliva already recognised in Islam as being impure, causes Naveed intense stress and grief. In addition the guards often direct abuse towards him, throwing his Qu’ran on the ground and cursing at him as he walks past or during the searches.

Due to this treatment, he has become completely irrational and suicidal. In a phonecall to his father earlier this year, he stated that he no longer wishes to live. He feels impure all the time, and as a result has been neglectful in his prayers and has even begun to question his belief.

The prison service has a duty of care towards all inmates regardless of religion. It states in the prison service orders that :-

“the prison service is committed to racial equality. Improper discrimination on the base of colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origins, or religion is unacceptable, as is any racial abuse or insulting language or behaviour on the part of any member of staff, prisoner or visitors, neither shall be tolerated”.

- PSO 2800

Through the prison at Wakefields failure to provide Naveed with appropriate care, they are violating the following :-

“establishments must ensure that there are systems in place so that prisoners requesting, or identified as needing help from healthcare are made aware of how to access help and are able to receive such help from healthcare within appropriate timeframes.”

- PSO 3050

We call on Wakefield Prison and the prison service to provide adequate care to Naveed Bhatti and cease his harassment.

Actions Required

Contact Wakefield prison demanding they provide adequate care

Contact the Prison Service, your MP and the Home Secretary advising of Wakefields failure to provide adequate care

Key Contacts

Governor Jacqui Tilley
HMP Wakefield
5 Love Lane
Wakefield
West Yorkshire
WF2 9AG

Tel: 01924 612 000
Fax: 01924 612 001

Home Office
Direct Communications Unit
2 Marsham Street
London SW1P 4DF
Tel: 020 7035 4848
Fax: 020 7035 4745
Minicom: 020 7035 4742

Email: public.enquiries@homeoffic

Urgent action required to help Ahmed Belbacha

[Forwarded from London Guantanamo Campaign]

URGENT ACTION: Ahmed Belbacha – British resident , 8 years in Guantanamo Bay

Free to leave……….
Nowhere to go………..

Fighting to stay in Guantanamo?!

Background

* Ahmed Belbacha is a 40 year old Algerian national who came to the UK
as an asylum seeker after receiving death threats from Islamist militias in
Algeria.

* He lived in the UK for 18 months, from 2000 until July 2001, when he
was kidnapped while traveling in Pakistan and sold to the US military.

* He has been held in Guantanamo Bay ever since. While held by the US,
he failed to attend an asylum appeal hearing in the UK and is thus
considered a ?failed asylum seeker? by the British government, which refuses
to act for him on this basis.

* In 2007 he was deemed by the Pentagon to pose no threat and was
cleared for release.

* He has remained in Guantanamo Bay ever since. If returned to
Algeria, his life would not only be at risk from the militias, but also from
the government. In November 2009 he was sentenced by an Algerian court, in
absentia, to 20 years? imprisonment for membership of a terrorist
organisation overseas. No substantive evidence was produced to back this up.
Ahmed has chosen to stay in Guantanamo Bay rather than return there.

* For some time, Ahmed Belbacha’s return to Algeria has been prevented
by a court order. However, following a lower court ruling in February 2010,
concerning the return of prisoners to countries where they face the threat
of torture, the Washington District Court lifted this order, meaning that
the US government can now return him to Algeria at any time. His situation
is now urgent.

* Lawyers for Mr. Belbacha are seeking to appeal this decision, and
argue that no decision should be made in his case until a separate Supreme
Court case (Kiyemba v Obama), which has relevance to Ahmed?s case, has been
decided.

Take action for AHMED BELBACHA now: write to the Foreign Secretary and your
MP and demand that the British government take urgent action for Mr.
Belbacha:

- He has languished in Guantanamo Bay for eight years; three of them
since being deemed to be innocent.
- The British government should allow him to return to the UK on
humanitarian grounds. His former asylum status is irrelevant.
- Point out that Algeria is an unsafe country to return him to and
that he faces the risk of torture if returned there. Does the British
government want his blood on its hands?
- Accepting him would help the US close the prison.

Write to the Foreign Secretary: private.office@fco.gov.uk
private.office@fco.gov.uk>

Dear Mr. Miliband,

I am writing to you concerning Ahmed Belbacha, a former British resident
held in Guantanamo Bay for over eight years.

Mr. Belbacha was cleared for release by the US military over three years ago
but remains there as he fears for his life if returned to Algeria. In
November 2009, he was sentenced to 20 years? imprisonment in absentia, even
though no substantive evidence was provided to back up the charges against
him. There is a great likelihood he would be tortured if returned there.

In view of his illegal imprisonment at Guantanamo Bay over the past eight
years, Mr. Belbacha’s former status in this country should serve as a
humanitarian consideration in allowing him to return to this country; the UK
must accept this man?s return here. This measure has worked well in other
European states and would be of help to our American allies.

Last month, following a judgment in the Kiyemba v Obama case, a court
injunction preventing Mr. Belbacha’s return to Algeria was lifted. The US
administration is now able to return him there at any time.

I urge the government to take immediate action to have Mr. Belbacha returned
to the UK. To perpetuate the uncertainty of Mr. Belbacha’s fate and his
abuse and mistreatment over the past eight years is a cruel blow against an
innocent man. This is the very least the British government can do to help
Mr. Belbacha.

I look forward to your positive response.

Yours sincerely,

—–
Please also forward a copy of your letter/similar to your MP. To find out
who they are, go to: www.theyworkforyou.com <http://www.theyworkforyou.com/>

Please let the London Guantanamo Campaign know if you get a response.

22 March 2010
London Guantanamo Campaign
london.gtmo@gmail.com london.gtmo@gmail.com>
www.guantanamo.org.uk <The National Guantanamo Coalition – Home>

Source: London Guantanamo Campaign & Cageprisoners

What is the Global Qunoot Month?

The Global Qunoot Month is about reviving the most important and not to mention a forgotten sunnah of our beloved Prophet (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) during times of calamity. It was a well-known practice even amongst the later companions (may Allaah be pleased with them all) and scholars of later generation. What can be a better time than the present to turn to Allaah for help, when our fathers, our brothers, our husbands and our sons are thrown into prisons merely for believing in Allaah and for standing up for Truth; when our women are raped and children are tortured and are kept in secret prisons for only Allaah knows how long? Is it not time for us to beseech the One and Only who is truly in control of all our affairs? Who Alone can take away these trials from us and grant us relief?

We encourage every Muslim in every corner of the world to join hands with us during the Month of March to pray with us for relief from all calamities affecting the Muslim World and specifically to call upon Allaah to hasten the release of all our prisoners and return our loved ones to us.

You can pray individually but also in congregation behind an imaam. Contact your local imaam to recite Qunoot an-Naazilah and to pray for the release of prisoners during his prayers. Sisters can do the same in their own gatherings, all it takes for you is to raise your hands to Allaah – the Almighty, the Most-Powerful.

Qunoot an-Naazilah:

Qunoot is a supplication offered during prayer while standing. Du’aa al-Qunoot [an-Naazilah] is worded according to the nature of the hardship or calamity. The Prophet (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) prayed for Muslim Captives and against certain tribes invoking Allaah for protection from their evil and harm.

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Qunoot for a month in Dhuhr, ‘Asr, Maghrib, ‘Isha’ and Fajr prayer, when he said: Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah in the last rak’ah, praying against some tribes of Banu Sulaym, and against Ri’l, Dhakwaan and ‘Usayyah, and those who were behind him said Ameen. [Narrated by Abu Dawood (1443). Classed as hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.]

It should be noted here that these tribes had betrayed and killed 70 of the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them all).

“It is proven that the Prophet  (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) used to say Qunoot at times of calamity, praying against the aggressors among the disbelievers, and praying for the week and oppressed Muslims to be saved from the plots and captivity of the disbelievers.” [Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (22/271)]

Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) prayed Qunoot for a month. After saying Sami’a Allaahu liman hamidah, he said in his Qunoot: “O Allaah, save al-Waleed ibn al-Waleed, Salamah ibn Hishaam, ‘Ayyaash ibn Abi Rabee’ah and the weak and oppressed believers. O Allaah, punish Mudar severely and send upon them a famine like that of Yoosuf.” Then Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that they were saved from the clutches of the disbelievers and came to Madeenah, so the Messenger (may Allaah’s peace and blessings be upon him) stopped praying for them.  Narrated by Muslim (675)

In Zaad al-Ma’aad (1/272) Ibn al-Qayyim said: “He prayed Qunoot at the time of calamity to offer supplication for some people and to pray against others, then he stopped when those for whom he had prayed came (to Madeenah) and were saved from captivity, and those against whom he had prayed became Muslim and came repenting. So his Qunoot was for a purpose, and when that was achieved he stopped Qunoot.”

How should one say Du’aa al-Qunoot?

According to the most correct scholarly opinion, Du’aa al-Qunoot should be recited after the ruku’, however reciting before the ruku’ is also considered acceptable. [Shaykh Muhammad ibn ‘Uthaymeen, al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 4/64]

It is prescribed to pray Qunoot during the last rak’ah of every salaah when a calamity strikes, and to continue until the calamity is averted.

Wording of the Du’aa:

Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’ (3/497): “The correct view which was stated definitively by the majority of scholars is that there are no specific words, rather any du’aa may be said.”

It is crucially important that we keep up the pressure on the federal prosector’s office. Tarek’s next hearing date is not currently known, but we can begin our phone-call, letter/fax, and delegation campaign with full force now.

THINGS YOU CAN DO

1)      On Mon Feb 22^nd and Wed Feb 24^th, call the office of Assistant U.S. Attorney and federal prosecutor Aloke Chakravarty at 617-748-3658 (phone) to voice your outrage at Tarek’s arrest and demand an end to the proceedings against him (see below for talking points (link in blue) and details).

2)    On Tues Feb 23^rd and Thurs Feb 25^th fax a letter expressing your outrage at the federal harrassment and illegitimate proceedings against Tarek to Assistant U.S. Attorney and federal prosecutor Aloke Chakravarty 617-748-3664 (fax). (See below for details).

3)    On Fri Feb 26^th, join a regional call for delegations to the prosecutor’s office (see below for details)

REGIONAL CALL FOR PHONE-IN TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

On Mon Feb 22^nd and Wed Feb 24^th,  we are calling on all supporters and organizers to call Assistant U.S. Attorney and federal prosecutor Aloke Chakravarty at 617-748-3658 (phone) to voice your concerns and outrage at the federal harrassment and illegitimate proceedings against Tarek Mehanna.

This is your opportunity to take a stand against political targeting of Muslims and stand for freedom of speech. When calling, ask to speak with Mr. Chakravarty and if told that you cannot speak with him, ask to leave a message for him and request that it be read back to you and request a reply. Please see talking points.

REGIONAL CALL FOR FAX-IN TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

On Tues Feb 23^rd and Thurs Feb 25^th we are calling on all supporters and organizers to fax a letter expressing your outrage at the federal harrassment and illegitimate proceedings against Tarek to Assistant U.S. Attorney and federal prosecutor Aloke Chakravarty 617-748-3664 (fax)the prosecutor’s office  to voice their outrage at the federal harrassment and illegitimate proceedings against Tarek Mehanna.

• We encourage you to write your own letter if possible, but if you are unable to do so, please see sample letter and talking points below.
• We also urge you to make copies of the sample letter and distribute it at local events for mass faxing.
• Please fax the letter to 617-748-3664 and cc (by e-mail) to Tarek Mehanna’s Defense Committee at freetarek@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and let us know if we can post your letter.

REGIONAL CALL FOR DELEGATIONS TO PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE

On Fri Feb 26^th, we are calling on all supporters and organizers to form Tarek Mehanna Defense delegations to voice your concerns and outrage at the federal harrassment and illegitimate proceedings against Tarek Mehanna.

If you plan a delegation, please let us know when you plan to go and the number of supporters you anticipate so we can coordinate activities throughout the day.

If you are unable to coordinate a delegation or go to the Prosecutor’s office yourself on Feb 26^th, we encourage you to call the office instead on those dates. Please e-mail the defense committee as to what happens with your delegation.

SUGGESTED TALKING POINTS FOR DELEGATIONS , PHONE CAMPAIGN, AND LETTERS

1)      Briefly state your concerns regarding the illegitimate arrest of Mr. Mehanna:

• The FBI has targeted Tarek Mehanna for one reason only: because he refused to cooperate with the FBI in targeting other Muslims.
• The FBI threatened Mr. Mehanna with terrorism charges if he refused to ‘cooperate.’
• Reassert your belief that this is a political arrest and an attempt to intimidate the Muslim community.

2)      Ask why Tarek was arrested and detained in solitary confinement on new charges in the absence of any new evidence over the past year. He has not violated his parole.

3)      How much longer do they intend to waste taxpayer’s money and drag out this illegitimate proceeding?

4)      Demand that they end the illegitimate proceedings against Tarek Mehanna.

5)      Point out that this month marks the one year anniversary of the legal proceedings against the federal prosecutor and assistant US attorney Suzanne Sullivan for misconduct and it is our sincere hope that Mr. Chakravarty does not plan to follow in her footsteps.

SAMPLE LETTER

FREE TAREK.COM

Join THAW (Theaters Against War) and SAMAR (South Asian Magazine for Action and Reflection) in a letter-writing campaign to Fahad Hashmi. As you may be aware, Fahad has been held in pre-trial detention at the Metropolitan Correctional Facility for over 850 days in severe solitary confinement. He has been detained over 1350 days in all. During this time, under what the government calls “Special Administrative Measures,” Fahad has been allowed only very limited contact with his family and has been denied access to much of the evidence the government claims to have against him. While Fahad continues to spend day after day alone in confinement, many of us have come together to fight his detention, to express anger at how the country has cheapened the meaning of civil liberties, and to create a network of support in the face of these harrowing times. Unfortunately, Fahad has not been allowed to connect with the movement inspired by his struggle. We aim to resist Fahad’s isolation by flooding the prison with letters of support. Join us in writing to Fahad— express your solidarity, tell Fahad how his struggle has touched you. Though these letters will likely not make it past the prison censors, posting them will offer a simple and necessary challenge to the inhuman conditions of Fahad’s detention and help send a message to Fahad’s jailers, the U.S. Government and Attorney General Holder, that the world at large cares for Fahad and is outraged at the violations of his civil and human rights.

THAW will then publicly read selected letters outside the prison in March and April, and SAMAR will publish a series of letters in its next issue. The deadline for letter submissions for publication in SAMAR is Wed, Feb 24th.

To participate in the action:

1. Write a letter to Fahad, addressed to:

SYED FAHAD HASHMI – REG#60011-054
MCC NEW YORK
METROPOLITAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER
150 PARK ROW
NEW YORK, NY 10007

2. Email a copy of your letter to us at: letters2fahad@gmail.com (by Wed, Feb 24th for publication in SAMAR)

THAW will be in touch with you if your letter is chosen to be read publicly.

SAMAR will contact you if your letter is accepted for publication.

Who we are:

THAW is an international network of theater artists responding to the United States’ ongoing “War on Terror,” aggressive and unilateral foreign policies, and escalating attacks on civil liberties in the US and throughout the world. Since October 2009 THAW has been hosting “Radio Free Fahad” performance/vigils outside of the Metropolitan Correctional Center: www.thawaction.org

SAMAR Magazine is an online journal devoted to the progressive and critical analysis of issues concerning the South Asian diaspora. We can be found at: www.samarmagazine.org

More on Fahad’s case at: http://www.freefahad.com

Sign a statement of support at: http://www.educatorsforcivilliberties.org

Syed Fahad Hashmi is a Muslim American citizen being held in a federal jail on two counts of providing material support and two counts of making a contribution of goods or services to Al Qaeda. The fundamentals of the indictment against Fahad are: for two weeks, he allowed an acquaintance to stay in his apartment who had a suitcase full of waterproof socks and rain ponchos that is alleged to have been delivered to a member of Al Qaeda and that this same acquaintance allegedly used Fahad’s cell phone to call co-conspirators. Based on this spurious indictment Fahad has been held for over 2 ½ years in solitary confinement under “Special Administrative Measures” at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in lower Manhattan. A US citizen and Brooklyn College graduate who grew up in Flushing, Queens, Mr. Hashmi is allowed no contact with anyone except his lawyer and his parents; no calls, no letters, no radio, no newspapers until they are 30 days old and censored by his jailers; no contact with other prisoners; no group prayer or worship; and for more than 30 months now, no fresh air or sunlight. His cell is electronically monitored inside and out, so he showers and goes to the bathroom in view of the camera. He is allowed only one hour “out” of his cell but must exercise alone in a solitary cage. Under the Classified Information Procedures Act but in direct contradiction to basic due process, the U.S. government has not allowed Mr. Hashmi to review all of the evidence against him.

Prepared February 2010

BACKGROUND

Five American youths held in Pakistan on suspicion of ‘using the Internet to contact militants,’ say they have been tortured by police.

During their hearing in a court in Sargodha town on Monday, which took place under tight security, the suspects charged that they had been tortured while in custody. “We are being tortured, we are being tortured,” they shouted on the way back to prison.

The Muslim American students [namely: Ahmad Abdullah, Umar Farooq, Iman Hassan Yamir, Waqar Hassan Khan and Ramy ZamZam], in their 20s and from the Washington, DC area, were detained in December at a house in the Punjabi town of Sargodha, south of Islamabad.

The arrests came as US officials and their internal intelligence arm, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), alerted the Pakistani government that the five Muslim youths had vanished from their homes and headed for Pakistan.

According to Muslim organizations in the US, FBI agents overtly monitor the country’s mosques and intimidate worshipers to work as informants for the agency. Despite complaints by American Muslim groups about the practice, which they say violates the First Amendment right of religious freedom, the FBI continues to plant spies and informants in mosques and Islamic centers throughout the US.

The Pakistani police, in close coordination with FBI representatives in the country, have accused the youths of conspiring to engage in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, having links to Al-Qaeda, and trying to join militants fighting the US-led allied forces in Afghanistan.

The youths have strongly denied the charges and insist that they were on a fact-finding tour of their ancestral homeland. No evidence has yet been produced implicating the suspects in any crimes.

The prison authorities have rejected the youths’ accusations of mistreatment, and a US Embassy spokesman refused to comment on the torture allegations.

Local press reports about the youths, who lived in a northern Virginia suburb of Washington, DC, have raised concerns among Muslim families in the area over the possibility that their children may become victims of discrimination and undue suspicion in school and the workplace.

Source: PRESSTV

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

• Call and/or write a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan and the Pakistani Embassy in the U.S. regarding the unjust imprisonment of these young men.

Embassy of Pakistan in Washington D.C.
3517 International Court NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202-243-6500
E-mail: info@embassyofpakistanusa.org

American Embassy
Diplomatic Enclave, Ramna 5
Islamabad, Pakistan
Telephone: (+92) 51-208-0000
Fax: (+92) 51-2276427
E-mail: webmasterisb@state.gov

Please CC us at globalvoice.forjustice@gmail.com

• Inform and educate your family, friends, and colleagues about this case and urge them to call the above embassies to take action in order to stop the torture these men are being subjected to.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear,

I am writing to you concerning the torture of the five Muslim American male students from Washington DC. Their names are Abdullah, Umar Farooq, Iman Hassan Yamir, Waqar Hassan Khan and Ramy ZamZam, all of whom are currently detained in an unknown location within Pakistan by the US Administration in co-ordination with the Pakistani Government.

On top of this extrajudicial detention, there are highly credible reports of torture and ill-treatment. In an edition of the Pakistan Daily News, it was reported that the persons detained passed a message from a transportation van on the way to court by throwing it from the van window. The note stated the following :-

“Since our arrest, the FBI and police have tortured us and subjected us to electric shocks. We are sick and have not been allowed to walk in the jail. They are trying to keep us away from the public, media, our families and our lawyers,”

It has also been reported that their appearance in court has been dishevelled and haggard, displaying signs of ill-treatment on their persons.

Torture, both its practice and co-operation, is expressly prohibited by International Law and that of the United Nations, to which the United States and Pakistan are signatories.

Under the UN Convention Against Torture, this is defined as :-

”any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity.”

It states in Article 2 of this same convention that :-

”Each State Party shall take effective legislative, administrative, judicial or other measures to prevent acts of torture in any territory under its jurisdiction.”

I would remind you of course that the behaviour of both the Pakistan and US Governments towards these individuals is a breach of this convention and other statutes, and as such I demand that if you are not going to give these persons their rights guaranteed to them such as fair treatment and trial, that you release them immediately so they can be reunited with their loved ones.

Regards,

Rachid Ramda today received the tragic news that his father died, his battle with leukaemia finally coming to a close last Thursday. To Allah we belong, and to Him we return; his one small comfort being that he saw his father recently.

Rachid, a 40 year old Algerian and former British resident, was sentenced in France to life imprisonment without parole in 2007 for his alleged involvement in the 1995 Paris bombings – the verdict upheld when he appealed in late 2009. Key evidence against him was originally obtained from a co-defendant who had been tortured during interrogation while in French custody. He maintains his innocence to this day.

Prior to his extradition from the UK in 2005, Rachid spent a decade languishing in the notorious HMP Belmarsh, locked up for 23 hours a day in a small cell. Known for his generosity and stoic patience, he was much loved by his fellow prisoners and became a lifeline for them, to the extent he became known as Rachid ‘One Brother Wonder’ Ramda. Whilst in prison, he completed his memorisation of the Quran as well as an Open University Course in English literature.

Before he was extradited, Rachid had commented:

“I keep flying the flag of hope but I can’t go on forever without Allah’s Support and your support”.
Many human rights organisations appear to have now forgotten Rachid. Please do not deprive him of your support today.

Send a letter or card to console Rachid. Let him know he has not been abandoned.

Monsieur Rachid RAMDA

92 1989

Div 2/15

MA Fresnes

Allée des Thuyas

94261 Fresnes Cedex,

France


Read more about Rachid:
http://www.algeria-watch.org/en/analyses/ramda_unsurprising_verdict.htm

http://www.sacc.org.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=60&catid=29

http://www.sacc.org.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=61&catid=30

http://www.sacc.org.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=62&catid=30