It may be added here that one of the senators was S. M. Zafar, a very famous lawyer in Pakistan. Answering a question from journalists in New York he said that there was no need to meet Dr Aafia’s lawyers, as it was a case of human rights not a legal dispute (reported in International News Network). However, the questions raised by the emailer remain important, and if the senators know what they were doing then it won't hurt if they share it with the general public.I read your entry about "Aafia speaks out" and I am more confused now than before that why Pakistani delegation paint a rosy picture of her condition. She is basically in sound mental and physical condition according to the delegation which is in sharp contrast with what her attorneys have been saying.
I also read that Aafia does not trust her lawyers. I know her lawyers at least one of them Liz Fink was the first one to make us all aware of her pitiful condition. I know first hand how challenging it is these days to question anything regarding terrorism- related issues in the US and of course she was mocked by some people in that crowd during that press briefing [watch video of press briefing - Khurram].
I am not an attorney and know very little about legal issues, but I know this for sure that any statement regarding Aafia's situation should have been shared with her lawyers before making it public. It boggles the mind why Pakistani delegation acted the way they did. I only hope that the delegation knew what they were doing and I am the one who is missing something here!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Senators Vs. Attorneys
One of the most interesting feedback I received about previous entry 'Aafia speaks out' was through email and it deserves to be posted as an entry by itself:
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I would add to the strange course of action by the Pakistani delegation is that they should also inform public that what exactly did they do to help Aafia's case and/or help her release. Who did they meet with in US administration to secure her release or even help her receive better/human treatment. I understand CJ Aitizaz have attended her first hearing and ALL he had to say that "Aafia's case is going to be a test for US judicial system" or something to that affect. As if US judicial system has something to prove. I believe that US judiciary is largely fair and unbiased. I cannot blame US courts as much as the officials of Pakistan for not representing one of their citizens, one of their better citizen at that. They should have consulted with Aafia's attorney to at least complete full circle let alone to consult her attorney to draft their statement to better address the US media. I believe that Pakistani delegation did not show level of responsibility that Aafia's situation deserve. It seems to me that the purpose of their trip was to make it appear that the government of Pakistan is "trying" to help Aafia to suppress public anger in Pakistan. In my opinion they have actually hurt Aafia's case. I hope I am wrong and I pray for Aafia's release as soon as possible because I believe she is innocent. NO human being ought to be treated like she is, even now, even in US!
Sign a petition here if you like...
http://muslimmatters.org/2008/10/02/sign-petition-for-dr-aafia/
Thanks to the admin of aboutaafia blog!
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