DR AAFIA SIDDIQUI’S SISTER AND LAWYER TALK TO INSPIRE FM
Inspire FM
31st July 2023
On July 17th, 2008, a 51-year-old woman was arrested on the charges of murder. Far from home, Dr Aafia Siddique found herself behind bars in the Ghazni province in Afghanistan. The Pakistani national was later convicted in Manhatten in 2010 and is now serving an 86-year sentence.
There have been circulating questions as to why the US doesn’t seem to want to release Dr Aafia. This case involving the neuroscientist has sparked global interest and arguably widespread disapproval on the matter. Many believe her arrest is unjust and the case has been labelled a “flashpoint of Pakistani-American tensions” and “one of the most mysterious in a secret war dense with mysteries.”
In an interview conducted by Abdul Akbar on Inspire FM, Dr Aafia’s sister, Dr Fawzia Siddique speaks openly about the matter. “You know, I didn't even get to meet my sister - where is the humanity in that?” With a profession like her sister, the Harvard-trained neurologist and epileptologist has been heavily active in advocating for her sister.
Dr Fawzia is head of the Global Aafia Movement for Justice for Aafia and others unjustly held captive or made to disappear. With a fundraising page on Muslim Giving, their goal is to raise funds to, “cover legal, educational and advocacy costs, as part of the global campaign to help free Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, as directed by Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui.” Dr Fawzia continues to voice the case internationally and has recently met with Prime Minister Shehbaz.
Many have felt similar regarding Dr Aafia’s case, attempting to make a difference, and spread the word to raise awareness of it. Abdul Akbar also spoke to Clive Stafford Smith OBE who is Dr Aafia's Lawyer and the founder of 3DCentre, which is a non-profit human rights training centre focused on fostering the next generation of advocates. “The people of Pakistan have taken this too hard - that a daughter has been gone and a daughter is calling on to us, so that's one of the reasons why she's become a household name.” Since 1984 he has represented over 400 people facing execution in the US and elsewhere.) Clive recently visited Dr Aafia after waiting 20 years to do so.
You can hear the full discussion from Friday Night Live about Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s imprisonment and the campaign for her release here: https://www.youtube.com/live/c9Ma6Erh7YM?feature=share&t=2157&fbclid=IwAR0yTm0ozdTxtRabKqWubW4UEJPnwd1KZKiMIYVA2aeac_yw0tn3BSYDOxA
