Lord Nazir Ahmed's Letter to President Obama on Aafia Siddiqui

February 7th, 2009 |To The President of the United States of America

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW

Washington, DC 20500

USA


4th February 2009

Dear Mr President,

Re: Dr Aafia Siddiqui

Detainee Number: 90279-054

Detainee at: Carswell Federal Medical Centre, PO Box 27137, Fort Worth, Texas, TX 76127, USA

I would like to take this opportunity, once again, to commend your recent move to close Guantanamo Bay within one year. However I would like to draw your attention to the case of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who has been detained by the US since March 2003.

Dr Siddiqui was detained at Bagram Airbase from March 2003, and was later transferred to detention centres within the United States of America, although the Authorities have always denied holding her from this date.

It is alleged that Dr Siddiqui attempted to murder US nationals, officers and employees, in July 2008, who allegedly suffered multiple assaults. Furthermore, it is claimed that Aafia was found to be in possession of a weapon while in Afghan custody, where it is alleged she attacked US personnel.

Mr President, Dr Siddiqui has been in custody for almost 6 years and has not been put on trial for the charges against her. Dr Siddiqui vehemently denies all the charges against her.

Whilst in custody, Dr Siddiqui has sustained severe injuries which have not been treated, including a bullet wound to her abdomen. Various psychiatry reports have concluded that Dr Siddiqui is not mentally or physically fit to stand trial. I have attempted to make arrangements with the American Embassy in the United Kingdom in order for a small delegation to visit Dr Siddiqui in the USA, but to no avail.

I would like to request that your office looks into this matter as soon as possible, and since Dr Siddiqui was arrested in Pakistan, ask that she be repatriated to Pakistan, her country of origin.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact me.

I look forward to your earliest reply.

Yours sincerely,
Lord Ahmed of Rotherham