Real Victims of the War on Terror (Part 1)

[Hafsah]

This article is part of a two-part series considering the families affected by the war on terror living in the UK. In this first part, the problems facing these families are discussed.

Most of the casualties of war in this world are women and children(1); the casualties of the war on terror are no exception. In Britain alone, there are thousands of victims of this apparent war. The media, which has created the heroes and villains of the war as well as spreading their paranoid message of imminent doom and gloom in the form of an inevitable terror attack, have conveniently written them out of its version of a story which is essentially their own.

Excluded from the powerful gaze of the media machine in its zeal to present a partial view of history in the making, the families of the foreign detainees held in HMPs Belmarsh and Woodhill under the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act (ATCSA) of 2001, of Muslims arrested and later released without charge as terror suspects and the families of detainees held in foreign jails and concentration camps, such as Camp X-Ray, are persona non grata who have fallen through the net of media interest and are left stranded at sea to fend for themselves.

It’s not just the media, however, who is to blame for the exclusion and isolation of these families: all too often they are also excluded by their communities and former friends. They may even find that family members close their doors on their faces. As Umm Aisha, Babar Ahmad’s sister told www.cageprisoners.com, in an interview, ‘Some people, a small minority of people, have stopped ringing us or requested we remove their telephone numbers from our diaries and mobile phones’. Old friends, family members and acquaintances suddenly become afraid of keeping in touch with such families for fear of being tainted by the stigma of terrorism.

These families also face other, more serious problems; problems that they are often left, in their isolation from the wider community, to face alone. As in most families, these men are often the main, if not only, breadwinners, leaving the family in financial hardship after their arrest. In the case of individuals arrested as terror suspects who are later released without charge, sometimes in high-profile media cases, they may lose their jobs as a result and find it harder to find a new job, given this stain on their record. Some families have even lost their homes.

Having to cope with financial problems, as we are probably all aware, often aggravates other serious problems. The physical absence of a spouse or a father means that the wives and children of detainees have lost an important emotional and psychological support in their lives. For some of the detainees, their wives and children have no other family in this country and there is no other family member for them to turn to for support. In the case of some British families, it is the family itself that refuses to support the family.

The shock of seeing their husband arrested or learning of their arrest and having their home searched by the police can be highly stressful and humiliating for the families involved. Many detainees’ family members have suffered psychological problems.

The wife of one of the Belmarsh detainees, who was initially arrested in 2001, has suffered serious mental and psychological trauma since the police violently raided their home at the time of the initial arrest (she was pregnant at the time). This was followed by a campaign of intimidation by the British authorities leading to a nervous breakdown. Her son was subsequently taken away from her.(2)

Many of the wives’ and children of detainees have faced some form of psychological problem and their isolation from the wider community does not really help them. Commenting on the situation of Moazzam Begg’s family, Yvonne Ridley stated to www.cageprisoners.com, ‘Moazzam has never seen his fourth child, born after his kidnap. His wife goes about her days without complaint but I know she could do with the help and support of the community. We, as Muslims, should have been there for the Begg family from Day One. Shame, shame on us for looking the other way’.

It is the little things in life that affect us the most; some of the detainees’ wives have had to learn to look after their family’s finances or to support their family financially. Some detainees’ wives do not speak English and have had to learn to cope with a system that does not have much patience for people who are not able to communicate their wishes precisely and quickly enough.

Access to their loved ones can also be a battle. Many of the wives and children of the Belmarsh and Woodhill detainees seldom see their husbands and fathers, perhaps twice a month if they are lucky. Access, through letters via the International Red Cross, is even more precarious for the families of former and current Guantanamo detainees.

All of this is fairly stressful, especially when you have to cope with most of it on your own. How do you then explain it to your children? How do you explain to a child who has not seen their father for three years why he cannot come home when neither he nor you are exactly sure of the answer? How does a mother, a grandparent, an uncle or an aunt deal with the trauma of a child who has been bullied in the playground because their father is a “terrorist”?

The wife of one of the detainees has difficulties trying to make her young children understand why their father cannot come home and although it has been three years since he was detained, they still often cry for him at night.

Some of the detainees’ wives were pregnant at the time of their arrest; their children do not recognise or know their own fathers. The children too suffer psychological and personal traumas; some fear that their fathers will never be released. The young son of Guantanamo detainee, Jamil Al-Banna, wrote letters to Tony Blair and Prince Charles last year asking them to help secure the release of his father. Tony Blair did not reply and Prince Charles’ secretary replied that the prince was in a position to intercede.(3)

Indeed, this is an overwhelming amount of stress for any one person to bear, particularly when so much of it is borne alone. The Islamic faith puts an emphasis on brotherhood and solidarity between adherents of the faith. The Koran states, in Chapter 49 (The Inner Apartments) verse 10, ‘The Believers are but a single Brotherhood’, and a saying of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) states, ‘The example of the believers in their mutual love and mercy is like the example of a body; if one part of the body feels pain, then all the body suffers in sleeplessness and fever’.(4)

Yet, in spite of these principles, the response of the Muslim community has not been forthcoming, to say the least. The brother of former Guantanamo detainee Shafiq Rasul, Habib Rasul told www.cageprisoners.com in an interview about the response of the local Muslim community in Tipton, ‘I've been really disappointed with the response. They could have done a lot more. The community has been hiding really, mainly because they were afraid. Last week, when there were many reporters in Tipton, the local leaders have now started to jump on the band wagon, saying they were really happy that the detainees were coming home; I ask them, "Where were you hiding two years ago?" A lot of hypocrites have started to reveal themselves’.

In an article in the Guardian newspaper, commenting on Sabah Al-Banna’s situation, Victoria Brittain states, ‘she has found deeply hurtful the loss of some Muslim former friends who, perhaps fearing the taint of "terrorism", have abandoned her. "Can you imagine these people even blocked my telephone calls? But my God sent me other friends, and very kind people to help me, like Gareth Peirce [her solicitor]."(5)

Many people are afraid to get involved for the very reason mentioned above and also because they accept the official line that these people actually pose a threat. The fact is there is no danger in contacting either the detainees or their families.

These men are all prisoners of conscience. In spite of their lengthy detention, in some cases far longer than the detention of more dangerous criminals, none have been charged with any crime. None of the British detainees in Guantanamo have been charged with any crime whatsoever or the detainees under ATCSA; ample proof of this is found in the release of detainee C from Woodhill on 31 January 2005 – he neither knows why he was detained or released and no explanations have been offered!

The futures of the remaining detainees is highly precarious; while human rights activists and other concerned individuals worry about the implications and the course anti-terror legislation in Britain is running, imagine how much more stressful it is for the families of the detainees, whose hopes are constantly raised and dashed by the government’s futile attempts to balance what is lawful and what pleases their international partners in crime.

Mudassar Arani, a solicitor for some of the detainees, sums up the situation as follows, ‘I wish people could see the human side: the wives being thrown out of their homes, one woman miscarrying from the shock of her husband's arrest, the effect it has on the children’.(6)

Can you see it yet? Can you see who the actual victims of terror are now? You can just walk away and pretend to yourself that you have not just read what you have read and that that some of this may be happening a stone’s throw away from where you live. It’s your choice. You can pretend it doesn’t affect you, this is someone else’s problem but the fact of the matter is that it affects us all. As Umm Aisha said, ‘Some of the [Muslim] community are afraid to come up, and feel if they speak out, they will be hit next. Unfortunately the way things are going, if we don’t speak out we are more likely to be hit next, and by then it would be too late as we never spoke out for the people before’.(7)

(1)www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/women/women.htm
(2)read the full details of this story: Mustafa's Story
(3)The Ones Left Behind, Victoria Brittain, Guardian, Saturday 19 February 2005, Manchester
(4)Related by Bukhari and Muslim
(5)The Ones Left Behind, Victoria Brittain, Guardian, Saturday 19 February 2005, Manchester
(6)from www.cageprisoners.com
(7)In an interview with www.cageprisoners.com

SOURCE: Stop Political Terror

[Hafsah]

This is the second part in a two-part series looking at the families of “terror” detainees. The first article, which considered the problems they face, was titled “Real Victims of the War on Terror”. This second and final article looks at how we can help these families.

When it comes down to it, the British public is very generous and does not hold back from helping a worthy cause. This was clearly demonstrated after the recent devastating tsunami in South and Southeast Asia; all sections of the community rallied round to offer their support and put the government’s paltry offer of aid to shame.

Sometimes, however, the pain and suffering are closer to us than we think, even though it is not that obvious. Sometimes, the best cure for a problem is not found in your wallet; few of the world’s problems can be set to right with a flurry of cheque books. As was discussed in the previous article, Real Victims of the War on Terror, the families of detainees need YOUR help and more often than not, that requires giving up something people are more reluctant to part with than their cash, and that is their time.

There are lots of ways to get involved and make a positive impact on the lives of these families who are largely forgotten in the rhetoric of politicians and community leaders; getting involved with SPT is one of them! Help is always needed on campaigns, website maintenance and producing information about the plight of the people detained due to the war on terror and their families, both in the UK and abroad. Making yourself aware of what is happening around you is also a way of helping people: make sure that you know that they exist.

Another more cost-effective way of helping detainees’ families, once you are aware of their situation, is to make the people around you aware of them. It’s good to talk; talk to your friends, family members and colleagues. Get them involved. People are often reluctant to discuss sensitive issues but sticking your head in the sand never caused any problem to disappear.

Their problems are our problems. Particularly in the Muslim community, people are afraid to discuss this issue and even when they are aware of the depth of the problem, some people do not want to help for fear of being associated with terrorists. Who? Where? No one has been charged with terror offences as yet and much of the evidence linking British nationals and residents to terrorism has been extracted through torture.

Sadly, in some cases, the families of detainees have been shunned completely by their communities and people who have tried to help them have been prevented from doing so. Muslim community leaders and imams are often afraid to get involved or mention these problems, leading a bad example for the rest of their community. So, talk about it! Break the taboo.

If any one of us were in a situation where they had fallen foul of their powers that be (and not the law in this case!), intimidated and slandered, would we still not wish that people would give us the benefit of the doubt? Do you know what the Belmarsh and Woodhill detainees are charged with? Neither do they! Give these families the benefit of the doubt and speak out and challenge the prejudices of others.

A saying of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) says, ‘O servants of Allah be brothers. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He does not oppress him, humiliate him or look down upon him. Piety is here - and so saying, he pointed to his chest three times – ‘It is evil enough for a man to look down upon his Muslim brother. The whole of a Muslim's being is sacred to another Muslim – his blood, his wealth and his honour are inviolable’.

Who are the victims here? Who has been driven to the edge? Thrown out of their homes? Intimidated? Shunned by people they thought they could trust? Show these families some humanity and treat them with the same love, care and respect you would like to be treated with, whatever the circumstance. Perhaps they live in your neighbourhood. Get to know them.
Write to the family members; send them letters of support and cards on Eid. Such small, insignificant gestures mean a lot to the families; it shows that you have not forgotten them and that you support them. Perhaps they live too far for you to visit but in the age of modern technology, you can phone them or send an email. See how they are, how they are coping. This is what really makes all the difference. In interviews and public talks, the families of detainees often say how happy help from well-wishers make them and what a difference it makes when people call just to ask how they are.

Hhugs (Helping Households Under Great Stress) is a non-profit making organisation (currently seeking charity status) that was set up specifically in September 2004 to provide emotional, practical and financial help to the families of British nationals and residents caught up in the ‘war on terror’, both in the UK and abroad. Hhugs has two main sectors of activity: assisting the families practically and fundraising.

Currently, Hhugs has volunteers in London and Manchester and is looking for volunteers elsewhere in the country. The idea is to respond to problems as they arise and to provide support where it is needed.

How do Hhugs volunteers help? Some volunteers raise money to help the families of detainees. Life is hard for any family in the absence of its main breadwinner. Most of the families do not like asking for help but they do face financial hardship. Some of the detainees’ children attend private Islamic schools; it is an issue which is important to them, and Hhugs has helped some families with the school fees, which can be quite steep. Money is also being raised for the following campaign: Mustafa's Story

Hhugs volunteers also visit the families of detainees and give them moral and emotional support. Phone calls and visits mean a lot to these families. Volunteers also help with other tasks. Having your home and your privacy raided by the police can be overwhelming and having some help with mundane tasks such as cooking and taking the children to school can be a big help at such times. Visits to the solicitor may have to be arranged too and can be a daunting experience if it is the first time and you have to go alone.

Perhaps one of the most important ways in which Hhugs volunteers help, and for which volunteers are required, is prison visits. Prison visits make all the difference for families torn apart by the war on terror in the UK. While this may seem simple enough for detainees held in the UK and their families, the situation is far more complicated.

One of the Belmarsh detainees’ wives, a non-English speaker, did not visit her husband for six months after he was detained because she did not know how to go about doing so. Getting to the prison in the first place can be an ordeal; some of the families do not have cars and getting there can be expensive and time-consuming. For detainees’ families from North London visiting their loved ones in HMP Belmarsh, the trip can take a whole day for a two-hour meeting. But it is worth it.

Having someone to drive them to the prison has enabled some families to visit their loved ones at least once a week; this makes a huge difference to their morale and the morale of the detainees. A Hhugs spokesperson commented that, ‘as you can imagine, the increase in frequency of their visits really makes such a difference to these women and their husbands’. If you have a vehicle and are able to help out in this matter, in London or beyond, please contact Hhugs.

Families without cars or drivers and small children also sometimes need help with everyday tasks like shopping, getting to the doctor’s or the solicitor’s. While some of the families do have relatives in the UK, they are sometimes shunned by them or if they are supportive, the burden of the responsibility of a whole family can be a lot to bear. Hhugs aims to help the whole family deal with their crisis.

If you would like to get involved with Hhugs or want to know more, you can contact Hhugs via email: hhugs_2004@yahoo.co.uk telephone: 0 7931 833980. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so by sending a cheque to: Hhugs, PO BOX 415, New Malden, KT3 9AF or you can make a donation straight into their bank account: Account Name: Hhugs, Account Number: 31438603, Sort Code: 40-34-24.

Given that Hhugs works closely with the families of detainees, most of whom are now headed by women, Hhugs is particularly looking for female volunteers. So, if you are preferably female, have access to a vehicle (not a prerequisite), have some time to spare and want to help the families affected by the war on terror, please contact Hhugs.

As well as needing volunteers, it is important that people who wish to commit do so seriously. While it is delightful for the families to be contacted and visited, it can also be off-putting if volunteers come once and then vanish thereafter. After their traumatic experiences with the police and the authorities, understandably many of the families are suspicious and wary of other people and volunteers need to be able to take any commitment to these families seriously and respect what they have been through.

Of course, the pain and suffering do not end once loved ones are released and/or repatriated to the UK. For the family of a person who is arrested and later released without charge following a violent police raid and intimidation, the damage is already done.

Here in Britain today, there are the families of former and current Guantanamo detainees, the families of detainees held under the ATCSA (Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act) of 2001, the families of detainees awaiting extradition to the USA under the terms of a non-reciprocal extradition treaty, the families of British “terror” suspects and convicts held in foreign prisons, charged and sentenced under dubious circumstances and the families of the 600+ Muslim men who have been arrested and released without charge, often in high-profile media cases. They all need your help. Will you answer their call?

Your indifference makes you an accomplice; ironically, in this case, it could affect you personally. The government’s attempts to reform anti-terror legislation puts all British residents at risk and while the terrorist threat is apparently very real, what constitutes that threat remains undefined.

There is a short chapter in the Koran that says, ‘Hast thou observed him who belieth religion? That is he who repelleth the orphan, And urgeth not the feeding of the needy. Ah, woe unto worshippers Who are heedless of their prayer; Who would be seen (at worship) Yet refuse small kindnesses!’ (Chapter 107, Small Kindnesses, Verses 1- 7). Will you deny them the smallest of kindnesses?

If you feel that you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article or in ‘The Real Victims of the War on Terror’, please contact SPT or Hhugs, or if you know someone who has been affected or needs help.


SOURCE: Stop Political Terror