Demand Release of Dr.

Afia Siddiqui,an Innocent Prisoner of Conscience from Paksitan

Government
Moazzam Begg returns to the home of his abduction in Pakistan-Demand release of
Dr.Afia Siddiqui
9/14/10
Cageprisoners.com

A delegation from the UK has arrived in Pakistan to put pressure on the Pakistani
government to demand the immediate return of Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

The delegation includes investigative journalist, Yvonne Ridley, Patron of Cageprisoners

and the producer of the documentary "The search for prisoner 650

Moazzam Begg, Director of Cageprisoners, former detainee at Bagram and Guantanamo

Bay and author "Enemy Combatant"

Saghir Hussain, lawyer and board adviser to Cageprisoners.

Yvonnne Ridley criticised the role played by the Pakistani Ambassador to Washington,
Hussain Haqqani for failing to be robust and transparent in his advocacy for the release of
the daughter of Pakistan. She contrasted his decision to grant hundreds of visas to US
security personnel with his refusal to grant a visa to ex Congress member Cynthia
Mackinney and asked the question as to whose interests is he protecting?

She also highlighted the fact that that the trial was totally unfair as the judge refused the
defence to present some very startling facts that would have compelled even the most
hardened jury to sympathise with Dr Aafia Siddiqui. Particularly the fact that Dr Siddiqui
was kidnapped outside her home in Karachi, held in secret detention, separated from her
children and subjected to brutal and in humane treatment for several years.

Moazzam Begg stated that he was abducted from his then home in Pakistan in front of his
children in the same manner as Aafia Siddiqui except he had the opportunity to be
released after no evidence being found of wrongdoing whereas Dr Siddiqui has not been
given the opportunity to present her case fairly.

He made an emotional return to his previous home in Islamabad yesterday from where he
was kidnapped and vowed that he will continue to campaign for Dr Siddiqui until she is
also reunited with her family. He urged the people of Pakistan not to feel despondent and
continue with their prayers and rally for Dr Siddiqui until the Pakistan government makes
a genuine attempt to bring her back home. He urged the Pakistan government especially
the Prime Minister and the President to use all their diplomatic and political channels for
her return.

Saghir Hussain, lawyer stated that as current events relating to the Ground Zero mosque
and the issue of the burning of the Qur'an shows, the hatred of Muslims in the US shows
no sign of abating. These incidents are often reflected in a courtroom when Muslims face
any allegation from the US authorities. It is virtually impossible for a US jury or indeed a
politically ambitious judge to give justice. Aafia Siddiqui has been a victim of a massive
miscarriage of justice.

Dr Fowzia Siddiqui, the sister of Aafia Siddiqui thanked the delegation for all their hard
work and noted that Cageprisoners were highlighting her sisters kidnapping soon after
she was cruelly taken away from her family. She demanded that the Pakistan government
must now get serious and make a formal diplomatic request to the US govt for immediate
repatriation before sentencing is announced on 23 September 2010. If the government
fails to bring her back then it will be responsible for the continued agitation by people all
over Pakistan who will not rest until the daughter of pakistan is back home.

Cageprisoners is a human rights NGO that exists to raise awareness of the plight of the
prisoners at Guantanamo Bay and other detainees held as part of the War on Terror. We
aim to give a voice to the voiceless.

Email: contact@cageprisoners.com
Web: www.cageprisoners.com