Post by Those who have no courage on May 5, 2005 16:30:57 GMT -5
"Those who have no courage or honor think themselves free, but are slaves. I am flying on the wings of thought, and so, even in this cage, I am more free than they."
(Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, former Guantanamo detainee)
Free Mobeen Muneef
An Interview with Amir Muneef
"Turning a blind eye or ignoring what is going on around you is no longer an option and people need to get involved. Otherwise it might be you or someone you love on the receiving end next time."
In December 2004, Mobeen Muneef was apprehended in Iraq by coalition forces who allege that he was assisting Iraqi insurgents. He was initially held at Balad, then moved to the notorious Abu Ghraib before being transferred once again to Camp Bucca. Held without recourse to legal advice, and denied access to the evidence or charges against him, the Foreign Office has done little to help Mobeen, despite the fact that he and his family are British citizens. Cageprisoners speaks to Mobeen's brother, Amir Muneef, about his brother's detention and the little that is known of the conditions of his imprisonment.
Read more about Mobeen Muneef
WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Write to British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw about Mobeen's case and the failure of the British government to intervene on his behalf. A sample letter can be downloaded here.
2. Send a message of support to Mobeen's family in the UK. Mobeen's elderly parents suffered from long term illnesses which have only been aggravated by the distressd caused by Mobeen's detention. His siblings are equally anxious and depressed, contemplating his welfare. Take a few minutes out to show them they have not been forgotten. You can email messages for the Muneef family to us at contact@cageprisoners.com or by writing to us at:
Cageprisoners
PO Box 45768
London
SW16 4PP
Justice 4 Rachid Ramda Campaign Update
Write to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke about the Home Office's decision to extradite Belmarsh's longest serving remand prisoner, Rachid Ramda, to France. Click here to download a sample letter.
WHO IS RACHID RAMDA?
Rachid Ramda has been in prison for ten years now and his family have been refused a visa twelve times to try and visit him. He has completed memorisation of the Quran and he gives the Adhan (the call to prayer) on Fridays. He is a beautiful brother.
One brother said about him that you know when Allah created Adam and he gave forty of his years to Dawud (as), if I had five extra years of my life then I would give it to this brother Rachid. People say that when they are feeling down or depressed and they look at him and his situation, he does not complain at all. People who have been in prison less than him, like for a short time, then they crack and they lose it. He on the other hand has maintained his composure and he does not complain. He is forgiving, compassionate, forbearing and he meets the brothers with a smile. When he meets you for the first time, it is like he has known you for years and years. He is an example and a model prisoner in front of both the prisoners and Prison officers as well. Even the Prison officers acknowledge that he is well mannered and a respectable guy.
(Babar Ahmad, political prisoner, HMP Woodhill)
Click here to read more statements about Rachid Ramda
More about the Justice4Rachid campaign
Events
Demonstration Outside Moroccan Consulate
06-05-05, 11am, Moroccan Consulate, London
In support of the 1500 brothers in 11 jails in Morocco who started an open hunger stike to highlight their plight against torture and abuse that is systematic and worse than Abu Ghraib abuses, the League Of Defence For Prisoners in Moroccan Prisons is holding a demonstration outside the Moroccan conculate in central London.
Judgement Day: Verdict in Babar Ahmad Extradition Hearing
17-05-2005, 10am, Bow St Magistrates Court, London
In the most controversial civil liberties' case this year - judgement day has arrived! The Judge will give his final verdict whether to extradite British Citizen Babar Ahmad to the USA. He could walk out a free man on that day to his awaiting supporters! Be There To Tell The World We Will Not Allow His Extradition
Event: Suspect Communities: The Real War On Terror in Europe
21-05-2005, CAMPACC, London Metropolitan University
The conference aims to analyse how 'anti-terror' and 'security' measures treat communities as 'terrorist suspects'; to share experiences and to find ways of working together more effectively. Including workshops convened by leading experts and human rights activists
Campaigns
Tashnuba To Be Deported
16 year old Bengali Muslim girl, Tashnuba, who was arrested in the US as a would-be suicide bomber, will be deported to her country of birth on Saturday, May 7th. Her mother will also be going back to Bangladesh. Your donations are still needed...
Ali Al-Timimi: The Struggle Continues
We are greatly disappointed with the jury’s decision. Our dear brother Dr. Ali Al-Timimi committed no crime. The jurors convicted Al-Timimi not based on evidence but on emotion buying wholesale into the fear myth built up around Islam and the Muslims after 9/11. We will not give up, we will continue our struggle.
From Behind Bars
A Special Request To All Brothers and Sisters From Babar Ahmad
I now request you all, in the lead up to 17th May 2005, to please increase upon making du'a and ask others to do the same. The final result rests with the Judge of all judges, the King of all kings, Allah (SWT).
Legal Issues
Setting An Example? Counter-Terrorism Measures in Spain
by Human Rights Watch
This report examines aspects of Spain’s antiterrorism regime that give rise to violations of Spain’s obligations under international human rights law. It makes concrete recommendations to the government of Spain on ways to bring its counter-terrorism measures into conformity with international standards. While this report addresses the impact of Spain’s antiterrorism legislation on the rights of those accused in connection with international terrorism, all of our conclusions and recommendations are applicable to any person arrested and charged under Spain’s antiterrorism provisions.
Government Submits Opening Appellate Brief in Rasul-on-Remand
The Acting Solicitor General has filed the Government's opening appellate brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Al Odah v. United States (Nos. 05-5064, 05-5095 through 05-5116), which is in essence the Rasul case on remand -- a habeas challenge brought by numerous alien detainees at Guantanamo. The appeal is from a January 31st decision of District Court Judge Joyce Hens Green, in which she ruled in favor of the habeas petitioners on a series of very significant threshhold merits issues.
Which Way To The War?
by Anthony Dworkin
If the bombing of Iraq does go ahead, what constitutes a legitimate military target? The concept can be slippery.
Transcript of Court Proceedings: Hamdan vs Rumsfeld
Transcript of the April 7th court proceedings of Guantanamo detainee, dubbed "Bin Laden's driver", Salim Ahmad Hamdan vs. Rumsfeld.
Why Al Qaeda Conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui's Guilty Plea Probably Won't Save His Life
by Michael C. Dorf
Defendants facing the possibility of the death penalty frequently plead guilty in exchange for a promise from the government not to seek execution. The practice is unsettling, insofar as the threat of death may induce an innocent person to plead guilty simply to save his skin.
(Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost, former Guantanamo detainee)
Free Mobeen Muneef
An Interview with Amir Muneef
"Turning a blind eye or ignoring what is going on around you is no longer an option and people need to get involved. Otherwise it might be you or someone you love on the receiving end next time."
In December 2004, Mobeen Muneef was apprehended in Iraq by coalition forces who allege that he was assisting Iraqi insurgents. He was initially held at Balad, then moved to the notorious Abu Ghraib before being transferred once again to Camp Bucca. Held without recourse to legal advice, and denied access to the evidence or charges against him, the Foreign Office has done little to help Mobeen, despite the fact that he and his family are British citizens. Cageprisoners speaks to Mobeen's brother, Amir Muneef, about his brother's detention and the little that is known of the conditions of his imprisonment.
Read more about Mobeen Muneef
WHAT YOU CAN DO
1. Write to British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw about Mobeen's case and the failure of the British government to intervene on his behalf. A sample letter can be downloaded here.
2. Send a message of support to Mobeen's family in the UK. Mobeen's elderly parents suffered from long term illnesses which have only been aggravated by the distressd caused by Mobeen's detention. His siblings are equally anxious and depressed, contemplating his welfare. Take a few minutes out to show them they have not been forgotten. You can email messages for the Muneef family to us at contact@cageprisoners.com or by writing to us at:
Cageprisoners
PO Box 45768
London
SW16 4PP
Justice 4 Rachid Ramda Campaign Update
Write to the Home Secretary Charles Clarke about the Home Office's decision to extradite Belmarsh's longest serving remand prisoner, Rachid Ramda, to France. Click here to download a sample letter.
WHO IS RACHID RAMDA?
Rachid Ramda has been in prison for ten years now and his family have been refused a visa twelve times to try and visit him. He has completed memorisation of the Quran and he gives the Adhan (the call to prayer) on Fridays. He is a beautiful brother.
One brother said about him that you know when Allah created Adam and he gave forty of his years to Dawud (as), if I had five extra years of my life then I would give it to this brother Rachid. People say that when they are feeling down or depressed and they look at him and his situation, he does not complain at all. People who have been in prison less than him, like for a short time, then they crack and they lose it. He on the other hand has maintained his composure and he does not complain. He is forgiving, compassionate, forbearing and he meets the brothers with a smile. When he meets you for the first time, it is like he has known you for years and years. He is an example and a model prisoner in front of both the prisoners and Prison officers as well. Even the Prison officers acknowledge that he is well mannered and a respectable guy.
(Babar Ahmad, political prisoner, HMP Woodhill)
Click here to read more statements about Rachid Ramda
More about the Justice4Rachid campaign
Events
Demonstration Outside Moroccan Consulate
06-05-05, 11am, Moroccan Consulate, London
In support of the 1500 brothers in 11 jails in Morocco who started an open hunger stike to highlight their plight against torture and abuse that is systematic and worse than Abu Ghraib abuses, the League Of Defence For Prisoners in Moroccan Prisons is holding a demonstration outside the Moroccan conculate in central London.
Judgement Day: Verdict in Babar Ahmad Extradition Hearing
17-05-2005, 10am, Bow St Magistrates Court, London
In the most controversial civil liberties' case this year - judgement day has arrived! The Judge will give his final verdict whether to extradite British Citizen Babar Ahmad to the USA. He could walk out a free man on that day to his awaiting supporters! Be There To Tell The World We Will Not Allow His Extradition
Event: Suspect Communities: The Real War On Terror in Europe
21-05-2005, CAMPACC, London Metropolitan University
The conference aims to analyse how 'anti-terror' and 'security' measures treat communities as 'terrorist suspects'; to share experiences and to find ways of working together more effectively. Including workshops convened by leading experts and human rights activists
Campaigns
Tashnuba To Be Deported
16 year old Bengali Muslim girl, Tashnuba, who was arrested in the US as a would-be suicide bomber, will be deported to her country of birth on Saturday, May 7th. Her mother will also be going back to Bangladesh. Your donations are still needed...
Ali Al-Timimi: The Struggle Continues
We are greatly disappointed with the jury’s decision. Our dear brother Dr. Ali Al-Timimi committed no crime. The jurors convicted Al-Timimi not based on evidence but on emotion buying wholesale into the fear myth built up around Islam and the Muslims after 9/11. We will not give up, we will continue our struggle.
From Behind Bars
A Special Request To All Brothers and Sisters From Babar Ahmad
I now request you all, in the lead up to 17th May 2005, to please increase upon making du'a and ask others to do the same. The final result rests with the Judge of all judges, the King of all kings, Allah (SWT).
Legal Issues
Setting An Example? Counter-Terrorism Measures in Spain
by Human Rights Watch
This report examines aspects of Spain’s antiterrorism regime that give rise to violations of Spain’s obligations under international human rights law. It makes concrete recommendations to the government of Spain on ways to bring its counter-terrorism measures into conformity with international standards. While this report addresses the impact of Spain’s antiterrorism legislation on the rights of those accused in connection with international terrorism, all of our conclusions and recommendations are applicable to any person arrested and charged under Spain’s antiterrorism provisions.
Government Submits Opening Appellate Brief in Rasul-on-Remand
The Acting Solicitor General has filed the Government's opening appellate brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in Al Odah v. United States (Nos. 05-5064, 05-5095 through 05-5116), which is in essence the Rasul case on remand -- a habeas challenge brought by numerous alien detainees at Guantanamo. The appeal is from a January 31st decision of District Court Judge Joyce Hens Green, in which she ruled in favor of the habeas petitioners on a series of very significant threshhold merits issues.
Which Way To The War?
by Anthony Dworkin
If the bombing of Iraq does go ahead, what constitutes a legitimate military target? The concept can be slippery.
Transcript of Court Proceedings: Hamdan vs Rumsfeld
Transcript of the April 7th court proceedings of Guantanamo detainee, dubbed "Bin Laden's driver", Salim Ahmad Hamdan vs. Rumsfeld.
Why Al Qaeda Conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui's Guilty Plea Probably Won't Save His Life
by Michael C. Dorf
Defendants facing the possibility of the death penalty frequently plead guilty in exchange for a promise from the government not to seek execution. The practice is unsettling, insofar as the threat of death may induce an innocent person to plead guilty simply to save his skin.