US Prison Denies Imam Visits to Aafia Siddiqui, Fueling International Outcry
Aafia Siddiqui, also known as the "Most Oppressed Muslim Woman in the World," has been serving a life sentence in a US federal prison for allegedly attempting to kill US soldiers in Afghanistan. Nearly two decades later, the US Bureau of Prisons has sparked international outcry by denying her request for visits from an imam, citing new documents and reasons, despite her long history of torture and abuse.
Despite being subjected to the US Rendition to Torture program, where her three children were separated from her, and being tortured for five years, Aafia offered her freedom to the FBI while in Afghan custody if she were guaranteed a worship service. Yet, the prison authorities have consistently disregarded her right to religious freedom, initially disregarding her request for an imam visit and only recently notifying her lawyer and the imam, Imam Omar, of the denial. Clive Stafford Smith, Aafia's volunteer lawyer, and his team have subsequently filed a lawsuit in federal court to force the issue, highlighting that the US Constitution's First Amendment guarantees religious freedom. Aafia has been serving an 86-year sentence in the US, sparking widespread human rights concerns.
The lawsuit, filed in November 2024, outlines a grim history of abuse that Aafia Siddiqui endured while in custody, including being subject to 'unverified allegations", torture, prolonged detention, and lack of international action towards her release. Fatima Khalid, a respected columnist, has expressed these very concerns, emphasizing the need for the international community to take action and support Aafia's case, given the overwhelming documentation of her hardships and prolonged detention by human rights organizations.
Aafia's lawsuit against the US government, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and several prison officials alleges severe violations of her constitutional and human rights, including repeated sexual assaults, physical abuse, and denial of medical care since her incarceration at FMC Carswell in 2010. The complaint details systemic abuse within the prison, including male guards subjecting her to rape and sexual harassment, an incident involving her being doused with a burning, acidic liquid, and denial of access to an imam for spiritual guidance.
The absence of international action to ensure Aafia Siddiqui's rights are respected and protected remains a concern, despite the documented evidence of her hardships and the lawsuit filed against the US government. The international community should continue to advocate for her freedom and call for accountability from the US administration for their actions.