ACTION ALERT – OCTOBER
2004
GOOD SHEPHERD VOICES
FOR JUSTICE
BRING
JUSTICE TO PRISONERS IN IRAQ
The Good Shepherd Voices for Justice ministry monthly
presents justice issues consistent with Gospel values and Catholic social
teaching and then offers a call to action.
We believe that as we gain better understanding of local, national and
international issues in light of the Gospels and the principles of Catholic
social teaching, and then speak and act accordingly, the process will offer
opportunities for transformation and for furthering the reign of God on earth.
With this in mind, please review this month’s issue and consider taking the recommended action. We estimate it will take you only a few minutes to complete this action. We encourage you also to take time to pray and reflect on the presence of God in the process.
We welcome everyone who is interested in letting their voice
be heard for God’s justice – both those in the community of Good Shepherd and
beyond.
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An Iraqi female prisoner
works prayer beads through cell bars at Abu Ghraib Prison |
BACKGROUND
Thousands of men, women and children are still held without
charge or trial in detention facilities in Iraq, including Abu Ghraib, months
after the official end of the occupation on 28 June 2004. Some detainees are
housed in tents, and are suffering under the intense heat of Iraq's summer.
The cases of Nahla Hafez Ahmad, a mother of four, and her sister Huda are
typical. Nahla was detained by US troops in the al-A'dhamiya neighborhood of
Baghdad in November 2003; when Huda went to look for her, she too was taken
into detention. Others in their family are also believed to have been detained,
including their brother Ayad, who reportedly died in custody in December 2003.
Nahla, whose health is said to be fragile, and Huda were not seen by a lawyer
for more than six months. Although Huda and Nahla were released on 17 July, thousands
of others remain in detention without charge or trial.
The Iraqi authorities must act now to address the injustices inflicted on
Nahla, Huda and all those illegally detained in Iraq.
OUR CONNECTION
As part of our Destination Justice journey, this month we
are focusing on the Catholic Social Teaching principle “Rights and
Responsibilities”. This principle informs us that every person has a
fundamental right to life and a right to those things that allow them to live a
decent life. We further learn that those who exercise authority have a duty to
respect the fundamental human rights of all persons – including political
prisoners. Government(s) and the military certainly fall under the banner of
“those who exercise authority”. It is from this vantage point that we ask you
to consider this month’s action.
ACTION
Write to the Iraqi government, or write or email the U. S.
Department of Defense, urging that it respects the life and dignity of those
held in Abu Ghraib and other places of detention across the country. You could
base your letters on the following examples:
SAMPLE LETTER TO IRAQI
GOVERNMENT
Dr. Iyad ‘Allawi
Prime Minister
Interim Government of Iraq
Convention Centre (Qasr al-Ma’aridh)
Baghdad
Iraq
Your Excellency;
I am deeply concerned that, weeks after the transfer of
power to your government, thousands of people are still held without charge in
your country.
Your government must ensure that all prisoners and detainees in Iraq are informed promptly of the reasons of their detention; that they are brought promptly before an independent judicial authority; that they have access to their relatives, lawyers and doctors without delay; that all complaints of torture are promptly, impartially and effectively investigated and that the methods and findings of such investigations are made public.
Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look
forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
(Note: We are sorry that we cannot offer am email address
for Dr. Allawi at this time.)
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SAMPLE LETTER/EMAIL TO U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look
forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
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To email this letter or get contact information for mailing,
go to:
http://www.defenselink.mil/faq/comment.html
If you choose to email, select “Ask a Question / Make a Comment”, and then cut and paste this sample or enter you own text.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Action Alert is from Amnesty International. Visit their
website for additional human rights action opportunities: