Dr Aafia Siddiqui faced sexual assault twice in US detention. In a case that has garnered international attention, Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a 51-year-old Pakistani neuroscientist, remains incarcerated in an American prison for nearly two decades on charges related to terrorism.
Disturbing reports have emerged, indicating that she has allegedly suffered sexual assault on two separate occasions during her prolonged detention.
Dr. Siddiqui, sentenced to 86 years in prison, disclosed the traumatic experiences to her lawyer, Clive Stafford Smith.
Smith, in an interview with a Pakistani media outlet, revealed that Islamabad was apprised of these heinous incidents.
According to him, a formal complaint was filed regarding the sexual assault, but he expressed dismay over the lack of any subsequent legal proceedings.
The first reported incident of harassment took place during Dr. Siddiqui’s detention in Afghanistan’s Bagram facility and was purportedly part of a coercive interrogation technique.
Stafford Smith went on to highlight that the neuroscientist continued to endure both physical and mental torture throughout her extended period of detention.
A recent development in this prolonged saga saw Dr. Aafia Siddiqui reuniting with her sister Fowzia after two decades.
The meeting took place at a prison hospital in Fort Worth, Texas, and lasted for over 40 minutes. Senator Talha Mahmood and Dr. Siddiqui’s legal representative were also present during this poignant reunion.
The revelation of alleged sexual assault, coupled with the protracted nature of Dr. Aafia Siddiqui’s imprisonment, raises renewed concerns about human rights and the conditions faced by individuals detained on terrorism-related charges.
As Dr Aafia Siddiqui faced sexual assault twice in US detention, the case continues to be a focal point for activists and advocates urging a thorough investigation into the reported incidents and a reassessment of the circumstances surrounding Dr. Siddiqui’s imprisonment.
