Photo JUST POSTED at the official family website: freeaafia dot org
"US was the only foreign country whose representative attended the birth of Pakistan on August 15, 1947. The Case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui appears as an epitome of entangled issues which seem to threaten this proverbial alliance, and hence also prospects of peace in the region..." By Khurram Ali Shafique above his About Aafia blog with chronology (he added to this quote about this site: "This blog is about saving a bridge.")
I add here:
What are we in the US doing to further goodwill between two countries who are so linked as are the US and Pakistan today? Are we watching to see if our nation is living by it's highest principles? Are we doing so in light of the current trial of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui? How much have you - especially if you are a journalist - read-up on the Dr. Aafia Siddiqui case? Even if you are sure she's guilty or have decided you'll just "get by" with whatever you think may apeal to the usual reader, why not do a little research.
At the VERY least, ask yourself, no matter what:
ONE Did the US authorities FBI/CIA (and cooperative authorities AT THE TIME in Pakistan who with new legal representatives would most likely not get by with the same today) have any right kidnapping her and her children without reasonable process of fair trial MUCH SOONER?
TWO Why are the media missing and sometimes even USING the inflammatory connections to UNCHARGED issues and groups with guilt implied when these do not apply to either Dr. Siddiqui nor to this current trial?
THREE Why isn't any media using the trial THIS WEEK to ask: Why does the US have any right witholding information about the two unreturned children and even more shocking, why aren't they returning the two children still unreturned? What human rights group in the US or anywhere would allow such an event? How can this be legal even in terms of the US signing onto The UN Declaration of Human Rights and other guarantees not to participate in such crimes even in times of war?
FOUR What about our decades long once very American guideline in any supposed criminal process for determining guilt: not to NAME someone guilty until proven so. This principle is FAR from being followed all along for years now in the case of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui.
FIVE Why wouldn't anyone who has been tortured like Dr. Aafia has -- what with the ONGOING BODY CAVITY SEARCHES that take place before each day of trial (although as I understand things, she is watched 24 hours a day) be angry? What about the removal of her children from her all these years -- and with no communication? Isn't that torture? Why not consider how she has been kept from all but the barest chance to communicate with her mother and has virtually no communication with her one returned son and remaining family in Pakistan? Also, I understand that what little correspondence she receives often comes late and some items she never receives - simple letters and cards. Who among us would not be upset and unpredictable in court? Isn't such torture well beyond even waterboarding?
I see little to no heart nor considerations of the above even in our generally respected US mainstream media.
If you know of any reporter who is covering this trial by focusing on the minor issues, the allegations only, the sensational or the inflammatory and missing all the most crucial aspects of this case, please speak to that individual privately urging a more principled AMERICAN way, one of goodwill and not one which fuels the fire and only adds to Pakistani distrust and disgust with our nation.
Thanx for listening,
Connie (blogger at oneheartforpeace)
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