Aafia Siddiqui remains silent about her ordeal
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: Dr Aafia Siddiqui, when asked by a Pakistani embassy representative on Saturday as to her whereabouts and movements since her disappearance from Karachi, along with her three children, on 30 March 2003, refused to say anything, that being her lawyer’s advice.
Faqir Asif Hussain, consular at the Pakistan embassy in Washington, was dispatched to New York by the ambassador to meet Siddiqui, who is lodged at the Brooklyn Detention Centre. Her lawyer, Elaine Whitfield Sharp and a United States government official were present during the interview.
Siddiqui, who was hesitant to say much in the beginning, later appeared to feel more relaxed and when asked in Urdu what the Pakistan government could do for her, made the following requests, which she asked to be conveyed to the American authorities. She said it should be ensured that she is not discriminated against in any way and is afforded all the rights and privileges that under-trial prisoners are entitled to. She should be given a fair trial. She should be provided medical care at the hands of a female doctor. She should be given a copy of the Quran, informed of the local prayer timings and served halal food.
Siddiqui’s bail hearing is set for Monday, August 11.
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Aafia Siddiqui remains silent about her ordeal
August 10th, 2008 | Category: Detainee Abuse, Disappeared, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, Female Detainee, Prisoner 650, Trial
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