Pakistanis show solidarity with Siddiqui
Sun Feb 6, 2011 10:45PM
Muhammad Toori, Press TV, Karachi
Once again, people in Karachi have gathered to show their solidarity with Pakistani scientist Dr. Aafia Siddiqui and to denounce the Lahore killings in which two Pakistanis were killed by Raymond Davis, a US national.
These protesters are angry at what they say, the US meddling in Pakistani affairs and its double standards as on one hand it sentenced Afia Siddiqui to 86 six years in prison and on the other hand it is putting pressure on Pakistani officials to release Raymond Davis.
The US government insists Raymond Davis who was arrested after he shot down two Pakistani men has diplomatic immunity and must be allowed to leave the country. However, Pakistani officials say he's probably a security expert who works for a private contractor, making him ineligible for diplomatic immunity.
A UK based Lawyer believes that he is not a diplomat and government is trying to get a forged passport for him.
Afia Siddiqui was arrested in July 2008 in Afghanistan on charges of having links with Al-Qaeda. In early 2010, she was convicted in a US court of trying to kill her US interrogators in Afghanistan.
Siddiqui's family say despite their serious concerns regarding Afia's health, US officials have repeatedly turned down their request to meet Aafia, while in the case of Davis, the US officials have met him several times.
Although the Zardari administration claims they are trying their best to ensure the safe and immediate release of Afia, but her family do not pin great hopes on their efforts, as Pakistan does not have any extradition treaty with the United States while the US officials expect Rymand's release soon.
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See much more on the Official Family Site for Dr. Siddiqui: Free Aafia dot org
For a helpful history and archive of the Siddiqui case (along with related articles on rule of law, democracy and constitutional issues in both US and Pakistan - see the blogsite: About Aafia.
Come back soon for more on this case. Also go soon to No More Crusades for related notes.
ReplyDeleteNo time yet to do a proper summary - so I've taken liberty with several experts write-ups as well as some of the more striking articles at nomorecrusades.
ReplyDeleteBe sure also to read more on Free Aafia dot org.