By Stephen
Lendman
Previous articles discussed her 2003 abduction,
detention, torture, false charges, prosecution, and
conviction despite clear evidence she's innocent.
Nonetheless, in September 2010, she was wrongly
sentenced to 86 years in prison. Imprisoning her for
hours, let alone years, constitutes gross injustice.
Doing so compounded years of horrific treatment in US
custody, including sadistic torture.
On February 10, lawyers appealed her case before the
New York-based US Court of Appeals for the Second
Circuit. Attorney Dawn Cardi argued that Aafia's
treatment left her emotionally incapable of testifying
on her own behalf, despite her client's objections.
She was hospitalized at the time under the influence
of percocet and other pain medication for her
injuries.
Moreover, years of brutal torture left her paranoid
schizophrenic from the ordeal. During oral arguments,
Cardi challenged alleged evidence presented. It was
entirely fraudulent on its face. She also claimed
Aafia's statements were involuntarily obtained. As a
result, new trial proceedings are warranted.
Notably, imposed terrorism enhancements (TEs)
compounded imposed injustice. They're used against
defendants convicted of trying to influence or coerce
government policy by alleged involvement in or
promotion of terrorist acts. As a result, the obscure
1995 measure lets judges dramatically increase
sentences unjustly up to 20 years.
Dozens of defendants were wrongfully harmed. Judges go
along with malicious prosecutors trying victims like
Siddiqui on false charges. They're then aggravated by
bogus terrorist accusations.
Even legitimate criminals convicted of minor charges
are treated like hardened offenders. Justice is
entirely denied, especially after courts ruled judges
can apply TEs to defendants not convicted of terrorism
charges.
Prosecutors need only convince judges that alleged
crimes targeted government policy, and "involved or is
intended to promote, a federal crime of terrorism,"
whether or not any act occurred.
On the basis of this phrase, judges have complete
discretion to apply TEs indiscriminately. Siddiqui's
one of many victims.
Her fate's in the hands of three appellate judges:
Richard Wesley, Susan Carney and Roslynn Mauskopf.
Cardi expects their ruling in three or four months
after which "there is no other recourse. Unless there
is a constitutional issue of significance, you cannot
make an appeal to the Supreme Court, but it's too
early to say."
The International Justice Network (IJN) on Aafia
Founded in 2006, IJN provides legal help to survivors
of human rights abuses and their families. It
particularly focuses on "global war on terror" victims
like Aafia.
In February 2011, it published a report titled, "Aafia
Siddiqui: Just the Facts," stating.
Overwhelming evidence shows Pakistan abducted her in
Karachi while visiting family. At the time, she was
interrogated by government Inter-Services Intelligence
(ISI) operatives and FBI agents.
As a result, Pakistan "should take firm and immediate
action to bring this grave injustice to an end, and
demand that the US government repatriate" her.
Significantly, America did precisely the same thing to
Islamabad. Washington compounded it by threats to
sever diplomatic relations for noncompliance. If
Pakistan demanded Aafia's repatriation, IJN believes
humanitarian grounds alone would free her.
Her physical and emotional health demand it. After
horrific treatment for years, they've deteriorated
badly. Keeping her imprisoned constitutes cruel and
unusual punishment as defined under the Eighth
Amendment.
Until then, IJN attorneys said they'll "continue to
expose the truth and seek justice for Dr. Siddiqui and
the thousands of other prisoners who have been
unjustly imprisoned as part of (America's) 'global war
on terror.' "
Fowzia Siddiqui's Planned Speech for Aafia
Aafia's sister Fowzia is a Harvard trained
neurologist. On February 10, she released the
following text from Karachi, saying:
"Today we are gathered here to draw your attention to
(America's) grave injustice."
"We are not here to create a disturbance or take the
law into our hands. We are not against the people of
the United States nor do we intend to denounce them."
"We are not here to play a circular blame game."
"We want to state our words directly without the
duplicity of diplomatic language."
Americans are as much victims "of illegitimate and
divisive policies in their own country as we are in
ours."
Pakistan's "struggling to be a true democracy,"
including "the right to protest and express our
concerns" against injustice. "It occurs when those in
power lose their moral compass and take their nations
from a path of progress to one of tyranny and decay."
"One case (symbolizes) all that has gone wrong during
the War on Terror and the greater 'Clash of
Civilizations' that (America, Western partners and
Israel) force upon unwitting populations. It is the
case of my sister Aafia Siddiqui. She is not hard to
find. The new line of Gulags runs straight to Carswell
prison in Texas."
Her imprisonment shames "all the great principles
(alleged) in the name of democracy and human rights.
It was a great, open and visible act of injustice."
Americans need to know about their government's
lawless/scandalous treatment of innocent victims like
Aafia. Wrongful detention, horrific torture, and show
trial injustice define her case. It culminated in
wrongly sentencing her to 86 years in prison.
Truths too despicable to hide eventually come out. In
the spirit of peace and reconciliation, it's time "to
reciprocate and return Aafia and the thousands of
others" disappeared in America's gulag hell.
Fowzia "demand(s America) let our people go."
As part of a peaceful march, she planned to speak
before America's Karachi consulate. The Pasban Voice
Against Injustice participated. An "unknown unit in
police uniforms" confronted them and others violently.
Tear gas, water cannons, and batons were used. Fowzia
was beaten. She sustained facial injuries, was
arrested and detained. Her son was also apprehended
and threatened. Pasban's president sustained broken
bones. Other marches were also beaten, including
women.
Pakistan's complicity with US crimes continues.
Justice for Aafia remains denied. Obama ruthlessly
sustains it. Fowzia endorses compassion for everyone,
"regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or national
origin."
She and allies face two rogue regimes denying it.
Aafia symbolizes all wrongfully persecuted people.
Freeing her remains elusive. Her liberating struggle
continues. Urgent global human rights support is
needed.
Injustice denied her and other victims harms everyone
potentially vulnerable. We're all political prisoners
until they're freed.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be
reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit
his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to
cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on
the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive
Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and
Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are
archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
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