Members of civil society held a peaceful demonstration in London outside the US embassy, demanding the immediate release of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui on humanitarian grounds. Activists gathered with banners and placards, chanting slogans advocating for Dr. Siddiqui’s freedom.
Among the speakers was Moazzam Baig, a former prisoner of Guantanamo Bay, who highlighted the irony of the Taliban leaders, once imprisoned in Guantanamo, now holding ministerial positions in the Afghan government.
He emphasized that the American government has negotiated with these former prisoners and asserted that keeping Dr. Aafia Siddiqui incarcerated serves no purpose for the United States.
“It’s time to end Aafia’s ordeal and release her immediately,” he stated. Dr. Laila Merhunnisa Shah also spoke at the event, labeling Dr. Siddiqui a victim of injustice and calling for her release. “Dr. Aafia Siddiqui is a Pakistani, and it is appalling to consider what the Pakistani government and society have subjected her to,” she expressed, conveying her shame over the treatment of Dr. Siddiqui.
Other speakers condemned the situation as a grave miscarriage of justice, urging President Joe Biden to intervene and order Dr. Siddiqui’s release on compassionate grounds.
