Author Archives: asimrafiqui
The American ‘Extraordinary Rendition’ Program
Extraordinary renditions may have escalated, and given a unique extra-judicial color, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, but they are a tactic that preceded the circumstances of the ‘war on terror’. The US Marshall Service first coined the phrase
The American ‘Extraordinary Rendition’ Program
Extraordinary renditions may have escalated, and given a unique extra-judicial color, in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, but they are a tactic that preceded the circumstances of the ‘war on terror’. The US Marshall Service first coined the phrase
Pakistani Collusion In Extraordinary Renditions
Did Pakistan take part and collaborate with the US ‘extraordinary rendition’ program? Yes, it absolutely did. Though it is impossible to know exactly who and how many were targeted – the US and the Pakistanis have never accounted for the people kidnapped,
Pakistani Collusion In Extraordinary Renditions
Did Pakistan take part and collaborate with the US ‘extraordinary rendition’ program? Yes, it absolutely did. Though it is impossible to know exactly who and how many were targeted – the US and the Pakistanis have never accounted for the people kidnapped,
Avoiding Habeas Corpus And The Need For A Bagram
Why did the US need to send prisoners to prisons located outside the borders and ‘jurisdiction’ of the United States? The answer is quite simple: the Bush administration was determined to avoid any and all court review for the many
Avoiding Habeas Corpus And The Need For A Bagram
Why did the US need to send prisoners to prisons located outside the borders and ‘jurisdiction’ of the United States? The answer is quite simple: the Bush administration was determined to avoid any and all court review for the many
Who Is In Control Of The Bagram Prison?
The Bagram Theatre Detention Facility, otherwise also known as the Detention Facility In Parawan (DFIP), was handed over the current Afganistan government on March 2013. The hand over was a result of some nearly four years of negotiations between the
Who Is In Control Of The Bagram Prison?
The Bagram Theatre Detention Facility, otherwise also known as the Detention Facility In Parawan (DFIP), was handed over the current Afganistan government on March 2013. The hand over was a result of some nearly four years of negotiations between the
The Dragnet at Bagram
Despite the claims of the US State Department, the US military and US administration, the majority of the men being held in America’s detention centers are innocent of the suspicions that got them trapped there. Though we have no statistics
The Dragnet at Bagram
Despite the claims of the US State Department, the US military and US administration, the majority of the men being held in America’s detention centers are innocent of the suspicions that got them trapped there. Though we have no statistics
The Geneva Conventions
Since 1864 there have existed clear laws of war. Called the Geneva Conventions, part of the Hague Conventions derived from customary laws of war and international treaties and ratified by various all countries as binding laws. The Geneva Conventions, first drafted
The Geneva Conventions
Since 1864 there have existed clear laws of war. Called the Geneva Conventions, part of the Hague Conventions derived from customary laws of war and international treaties and ratified by various all countries as binding laws. The Geneva Conventions, first drafted
The Military Commissions
On November 13, 2001 President George W. Bush issued an order establishing military commissions to try prisoners captured in the so-called ‘war on terror’. These commissions were explicitly created outside and beyond the existing American legal system to try those suspected
The Military Commissions
On November 13, 2001 President George W. Bush issued an order establishing military commissions to try prisoners captured in the so-called ‘war on terror’. These commissions were explicitly created outside and beyond the existing American legal system to try those suspected
The Black Hole Of Bagram
There is ample reason to fear for the welfare and mental health of the men imprisoned at Bagram. Since its creation the prison at the Bagram Air Base has been notorious for its brutal and inhumane treatment of the prisoners.
The Black Hole Of Bagram
There is ample reason to fear for the welfare and mental health of the men imprisoned at Bagram. Since its creation the prison at the Bagram Air Base has been notorious for its brutal and inhumane treatment of the prisoners.
The Torture Memos
On August 1, 2002, an Office of Legal Council (OLC) memo signed by Jay S. Bybee and drafted by John Yoo, issued perhaps one of the most important documents that opened the gateway for the overt and widespread use of
The Torture Memos
On August 1, 2002, an Office of Legal Council (OLC) memo signed by Jay S. Bybee and drafted by John Yoo, issued perhaps one of the most important documents that opened the gateway for the overt and widespread use of
The Enemy Combatant And Laws Of War
Designating prisoners as ‘enemy combatants’ or ‘unlawful combatants’ became a core part of America’s post 9/11 detention regime. The new class was necessary to accommodate the Bush administration’s determination to keep the prisoners captured in the battle fields of Afghanistan, or renditioned
The Enemy Combatant And Laws Of War
Designating prisoners as ‘enemy combatants’ or ‘unlawful combatants’ became a core part of America’s post 9/11 detention regime. The new class was necessary to accommodate the Bush administration’s determination to keep the prisoners captured in the battle fields of Afghanistan, or renditioned
Bagram’s Enemy Combatant Review Board (ECRP)
Prisons such as Bagram, Guantanamo and the many secret CIA ‘black sites’ were set up to handle ‘enemy combatants’ or ‘unlawful combatants’. The term is very broadly defined and can refer to those captured on the battle field, or those
Bagram’s Enemy Combatant Review Board (ECRP)
Prisons such as Bagram, Guantanamo and the many secret CIA ‘black sites’ were set up to handle ‘enemy combatants’ or ‘unlawful combatants’. The term is very broadly defined and can refer to those captured on the battle field, or those
The Story Of Bagram Prison
The Soviet Union built Bagram as a base of operations for troops and supplies shortly after its invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. After the Soviet withdrawal, the base changed hands between different militia groups. The American’s took over the base
The Story Of Bagram Prison
The Soviet Union built Bagram as a base of operations for troops and supplies shortly after its invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. After the Soviet withdrawal, the base changed hands between different militia groups. The American’s took over the base
The Uses Of Women
This week Nabeela Rehman walked into the hallowed corridors of the US Congress and gave her testimony about the death of her grand mother who was killed by an American drone attack in Northern Waziristan, Pakistan. Nabeela is the grand-daughter
The Uses Of Women
This week Nabeela Rehman walked into the hallowed corridors of the US Congress and gave her testimony about the death of her grand mother who was killed by an American drone attack in Northern Waziristan, Pakistan. Nabeela is the grand-daughter
Searching For Ghosts
One evening, standing on a hill overlooking Paizoo Khan’s small mud house located close to the Afghan border, I was struck by the incredible contrast between the dreams and aspirations of a man eking out a life at the periphery
Searching For Ghosts
One evening, standing on a hill overlooking Paizoo Khan’s small mud house located close to the Afghan border, I was struck by the incredible contrast between the dreams and aspirations of a man eking out a life at the periphery
It Could Probably Just As Well Be Different
Why do this? As I travel into the bowels of Pakistan I return with despair. The obstacles are overwhelming. But towards what? On nights when I can’t sleep because I am too tired, I think about the futility of it
It Could Probably Just As Well Be Different
Why do this? As I travel into the bowels of Pakistan I return with despair. The obstacles are overwhelming. But towards what? On nights when I can’t sleep because I am too tired, I think about the futility of it
Father of Prisoner 3764: Shoiab Ahmed
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Father of Prisoner 3764: Shoiab Ahmed
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Waqar Ahmed, Brother of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Waqar Ahmed, Brother of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Salahuddin Khan, Brother of Prisoner 2422: Umran Khan
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Salahuddin Khan, Brother of Prisoner 2422: Umran Khan
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Ghulam Raza, Brother-In-Law of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Ghulam Raza, Brother-In-Law of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Sardar Ahmed, Father of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Sardar Ahmed, Father of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Fatima Ahmed, Wife of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Fatima Ahmed, Wife of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Mother of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Mother of Prisoner 20235: Iftikhar Ahmed
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Adnan Ahmed, Brother of Prisoner 3764: Shoiab Ahmed
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Adnan Ahmed, Brother of Prisoner 3764: Shoiab Ahmed
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Toor, Saadia ‘State Of Islam: Culture And Cold War Politics In Pakistan’
Our despair is a result of our lack of a sense of history. You have to understand that we have arrived where we are as a nation as a result of specific historical choices, and understanding the reasons for those
Toor, Saadia ‘State Of Islam: Culture And Cold War Politics In Pakistan’
Our despair is a result of our lack of a sense of history. You have to understand that we have arrived where we are as a nation as a result of specific historical choices, and understanding the reasons for those
Letter Of 16 November 2011 (Sample)
Letter Of 16 November 2011 (Sample)
The War Against Terror & The Pakistani Citizen
The vanquished know war. They see through the empty jingoism of those who use the abstract words of glory, honor, and patriotism to mask the cries of the wounded, the senseless killing, war profiteering, and chest-pounding grief. They know
The War Against Terror & The Pakistani Citizen
The vanquished know war. They see through the empty jingoism of those who use the abstract words of glory, honor, and patriotism to mask the cries of the wounded, the senseless killing, war profiteering, and chest-pounding grief. They know
The Bagram Detainees – Pakistanis Out Of Place
There are 33 Pakistani prisoners languishing in Afghanistan, and the Pakistani government has basically done nothing to put pressure on the Afghanistan and American political, military and prison establishment to have them released. When Pakistan’s military dictator, the self-titled President,
The Bagram Detainees – Pakistanis Out Of Place
There are 33 Pakistani prisoners languishing in Afghanistan, and the Pakistani government has basically done nothing to put pressure on the Afghanistan and American political, military and prison establishment to have them released. When Pakistan’s military dictator, the self-titled President,