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A scream for help
from Guantanamo UK
The following letter was forwarded to Luton Muslims
by a sister who is in contact with some of the Muslims
incarcerated in Belmarsh person without trial under the Terrorism
Act. The author, Mr B (name disguised for legal
reasons), dictated this letter to one of his cellmates as he himself
is severely disabled (his arms have been amputated to his elbows)
and yet he has been detained for more than two years with no access
to trial or due legal process. On his request we have transcribed
his letter as a reminder not to forget the plight of our Muslim
brothers and sisters imprisoned here and around the world.
Dear Sister,
As-salaamu Alaykum
Thank you for your postcard which I received last week. I am very
grateful for all your efforts.
These past few weeks have been really tough on me. Each day seems
like a year, time seems to be frozen. I feel lost; sometimes I think
I am in a tunnel with no light at the end. I feel no pleasure in
anything I do. In other words I feel my situation here is hopeless.
I asked the Prison Service to end my life peacefully rather than
putting me in such an unbearable situation but as usual they are not
paying any attention. I strongly believe that David Blunkett is very
pleased and overjoyed to hear my news and my brothers’ news in
Belmarsh, Woodhill and Broadmoor. Recently I sent a letter seeking a
fatwa (Islamic opinion ) to some Muslim scholars in this country and
abroad. I also sent a copy to the Muslim Council of Britain. In this
letter I was asking if it is permissible for a Muslim to take or end
his own life in some circumstances. I’ll quote some paragraphs for
you.
“I have asked many times to be tried so I can get my punishment if
found guilty. But no response. My agony and pain is increasing every
single day. My situation and whole my life has become unbearable and
intolerable.
My life is not worthy any more. I am in pain with no hope nor
expectation.
After giving you a general picture of my situation especially my
health condition, the question is – Is it permissible for me to take
my own life, knowing (believing) my soul has no value?
I am relying a lot on your response especially I fear Allah and I
fear His disobedience. This is not only my conditions in prison; in
fact some of my brothers who are detained under the same legislation
(indefinitely with no charge and no trial) are asking the same
question”
Sister, the above paragraph is the main part of the letter sent to
Muslim scholars. I am very sorry to share this moment and these
words with you but unfortunately this is the reality and it took me
a long time to write these words to you. I did not want to disturb
you with my news.
Sister, when I first arrived in this country I was hoping to
experience so-called democracy, human rights, rule of law. Instead I
find myself stuck under another dictatorship under a race charge,
whereby I am judged by the colour of my skin and the religion I
believe in. Both these things do not make me a terrorist but sadly I
am treated like one. I have no doubt that my freedom can only be
achieved via death.
At the present time, the prison is putting me under suicidal watch.
They have opened a self-harm file for me. I am also sharing a cell
with Brother B who is actually going through a very hard time
as well.
Sister, this is all I have to say at the moment. I apologise again to
share with you my terrible news inside Guantanamo UK. Say Hello to
everyone and I wish you and your family the best.
From Mr B – a victim of a civilized world 2004. Thank you. |
For information on what you can do to help click
here.
For more information about the Muslims detained in Belmarsh click
here. If you would like
to contact us, email
detained@lutonmuslims.co.uk. Read the
second
letter from the detained Muslims of Belmarsh.
Read an
interview with another Muslim detainee who has been torn away
from his young family for more than two years.
For information on
the prisoners imprisoned around the world read more at
www.cageprisoners.com and
www.prisonersofwest.com. |
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