Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog

  Thousands protest against drone strikes in Peshawar

http://dawn.com/news/1058051/thousands-protest-against-drone-strikes-in-peshawar

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

On 23rd November 2013 Pakistanis and friends said “no to US drones” in a protest march organised by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) UK to coincide with a demonstration led by Chairman Imran Khan in Peshawar to block the NATO supply line

Thanks to PTI UK and friends for images

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

“The November 21 strike targeted a location in the K-P province and also resulted in the unfortunate killing of several persons including children, this has deeply disturbed the people of Pakistan” Sartaj Aziz  (Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs)

The Drone March- 23 Nov.2013

In London
We will walk
With one voice
On a cold November Day

From Downing Street
To the place known
For freedom
Of speech and liberty

Of symbols it created
of wars & of horror
The monsters Frankenstein
These drones of wars

In a distant land
The suffering huge
The humanity
And it’s trial

In London
we will walk
With All
The old promise
Made
With children of Waziristan

In London
Our voices
From Gomal & Tolchi
The land of Waziristan

In London
You will hear
Not the drones
But screams of Waziristan

Asim Khan (The Pashtun Poet)

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

When drones fly,
children die
As we hear
screams and sigh

Clicks it’s trigger
the invisible sly
plumes of smoke
in the purple sky

Cannot you hide
we try
Out in the open
We are left to die

Gomal and Tolchi
the rivers dry
As death wanders
In the purple sky

For children of Waziristan
there is no toy
we won’t surrender
To the enemy and it’s try

Moulded into our skins
The fear and it’s fry
In hands, no books
Only shrapnel and it’s cry

Cannot you disown us
Our plight and it’s cry
The wandering nomad
the dreamers eye

The children of Waziristan
For us, there is no toy
Plumes of smoke
In the purple sky

Engulfed in our fear
We often wonder
What happened
To our limitless sky

When drones fly,
Children die
What happened
To our limitless sky

What happened
To our limitless sky
Not a tear left
In our beautiful eye

What happened
To our limitless sky
When drones fly
Children die……..

Asim Khan (The Pashtun Poet)

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

“Every American missile launched creates newly radicalized youth ready to take a step nearer to strapping on a suicide vest”

Drone Attacks on  Pakistan and Yemen

As an independent campaigner on global health/human rights, I strongly condemn the latest drones strikes on Pakistan and Yemen and states that endorse drone terrorism and create new insurgents as a result of targeted killing programmes.

Several missiles were launched at a seminary yesterday near Tandharo village close to Tehsil Tal’s main Tal bazaar in Hangu District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killing eight people including teachers. This comes swiftly after a drone strike took the lives of three men travelling in a vehicle in the Wadi Houaira area of Hadramawt province, Yemen.

Drone strikes in Pakistan have mainly focused on the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) seen as the stronghold of militant groups. As Chris Wood who has investigated drone strikes with The Bureau of Investigative Journalism stated, “today’s reported US drone strike on a seminary in Hangu, KPK is only the third outside FATA ever recorded (9 yrs, 376 strikes) http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-127221-US-drone-strike-kills-five,-injures-8-in-Tal …

US drone strikes are indicative of imperialist and racist policy, you don’t see Obama droning “alleged” insurgents that reside in American cities, only Muslims thousands of miles away, because their ‘collateral damage’ which often includes civilians does not count.

The Nawaz Sharif government has “strongly condemned” the latest strike but although it has the power to take action does not appear to want to move into the next stage of actually blocking US drones. Rehman Anwar, interfaith and peace activist working between London and Lahore described the latest strike as “another slap in the face of Nawaz Sharif government who should have taken a zero tolerance policy on drones issue.”

Earlier this week, the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz was keen to reassure people that the US would not carry out any drone strikes in Pakistan during any peace talks with Taliban militants in the future. This must surely be a joke in very bad taste. The US is clearly out to sabotage any efforts for peace knowing full well that every drone strike pushes insurgents further away from the negotiating table and instead towards retaliation attacks. Every American missile launched creates newly radicalized youth ready to take a step nearer to strapping on a suicide vest.

According to NBC News today, Pakistani officials declared five Taliban commanders had been killed in the latest strike including the Haqqani network’s “number 2” Maulvi Ahmad JanOther alleged dead were named as Maulana Ghazi Marjan, Maulana Hameedullah, Maulana Abdur Rahman and Maulana Abdullah.

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/21/21558669-drone-strike-kills-haqqani-networks-no-2-other-taliban-commanders-officials

This is a statement from former spokesperson for Pakistan Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) on drone strikes:-

1. Pakistani people know that drones are happening over many years in Tribal Areas.

2. These drones kill innocent people in tribes.

3. Pakistani government has adopted a policy of betrayal on this issue.

4. On one side in media they (government) call drones bad and on other side they give permission for drones

5. This Pakistani government is a slave government

6. People must raise up against this government to save their country

7. We want to inform enemy that in the end they will lose.

Sajjad Momand

————————————————————

Who will be next on the US hit list…will it be politicians trying for dialogue with the Taliban, journalists writing on insurgency?

What happens if US drones start hitting “alleged insurgents” in main cities in Pakistan for example… will government remain inactive?

US has its own alleged insurgents, extremists of all faiths on US soil, yet Obama’s “kill list” is focused only on those OUTSIDE its own territory and against those residing in Muslim countries. Why the double standards? The reason being that drones strikes hitting “alleged” insurgents and “suspected” terrorists in the heart of New York would be totally unacceptable to the American people…

No US accountability for naming the dead

Despite calls from anti-drone activists to name every drone victim, combatant and non-combatant, Reuters reported that, “the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee rejected a proposal on Thursday that would have required U.S. spy agencies to make an annual public accounting of the number of casualties caused by U.S. drone attacks on militants overseas”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/21/house-drone-casualties_n_4319765.html?utm_hp_ref=tw

Dr Shireen Mazari, Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Pakistan  Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was quick to issue a press statement following the Hangu strike saying drone strikes were “a declaration of war against the people of Pakistan by the US”. She demanded to know whether the Pakistan government and military were sleeping while Pakistan was being attacked or were they complicit in this latest drone attack? Mazari declared that “the time had come for the Pakistan government to demonstrate through actions that there is zero tolerance for drone attacks amongst the people and political leadership of Pakistan – a consensus reflected in the APC resolution.”

PTI Anti -Drone Protest

PTI are preparing to protest in Peshawar on 23rd November supported by anti-drone protestors in the UK who will march from Downing Street to the US Embassy.

Chairman of PTI Imran Khan stated the following from his Twitter account:-

Unacceptable US drone attack in Hangu, KP, simply on assumption of possible future terrorism. 4 innocent children, 2 teachers killed.

The drone killings will once again create more militants and extremists vowing revenge for the killings of Hangu. Why is Nawaz govt silent?

The KP govt will identify and give out the names of the Hangu drone victims to expose the lie of drones killing only “militants”.

Later Khan spoke at a televised press conference saying that he would announce at the protest on Saturday that he and supporters would permanently block the NATO supply route until drone attacks are stopped. He said, “if it’s in our hands, we will block it today. Our powers are that we can tell them that NATO supplies can’t pass through our province.”

Dr Arif Alvi also PTI tweeted, “Hangu Drone Strike in KP is a further escalation into Pakistan territory. Weak kneed leadership will enslave us. We beggars cant stand up. Shameful.”

Drones radicalize young people

The recent drone killing of Hakimullah Mehsud who was Emir (leader) of Pakistan Tehrik – e-Taliban (TTP) has served to drive more youth to embrace insurgency where they will be welcomed joyously by those ready to train the latest recruits. The recruitment is not limited to males. I was told recently by TTP that women are also active and do far more than just traditional cooking.

The US should keep in mind that although political parties will peacefully protest and block the NATO supply line every drone strikes bring further fury from TTP who have their own solution which is blowing up tankers on the route as this video from 2010 demonstrates https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JoXHflbAN0

A community leader from Tribal Areas who is afraid to be identified and spoke on condition of anonymity told of the aftermath of the drone strike on Hakimullah stating the following,

“you know more then one million kids of our land are out of schools from last ten years…and you know well what will be their future and they are vulnerable to militancy. I know personally, I know many children under teen age, they are the joining militants group.”

Faisel bin Ali Jaber, 55, a Yemeni government engineer recently travelled to America seeking U.S. government compensation for his village and warned of increasing radicalization with every drone attack. He described the missile strike on his community as being akin to “a mountain falling on us” and seeing legs, arms and a head strewn on the ground. He conveyed his message to members of Congress;

“the attack had only made al Qaeda ‘more popular’ and that young people in his village were ‘infused with anger’ including two local teenagers who left to join the terrorist group, never to be heard from again”…… “they would join al Qaeda or any other group that would be able to get them revenge”

Read Jaber’s full story can be read on NBC News Investigations, link http://investigations.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/11/20/21553062-yemeni-tells-white-house-of-us-drone-strike-that-he-says-killed-innocent-kin

I spoke to Ihsan Waziri, a business development representative born in Birt, Wana, South Waziristan who has recently returned from visiting family and friends in the Tribal Areas of Pakistan, this is what he had to say about radicalization;

“The U.S and their Allies cannot eliminate the Taliban with drone strikes and what I know is that in one drone strike they kill at least 15 people but more then 50 join Taliban so the drone is not a solution to end the war. I stayed for 3 months in South Waziristan, Wana since August and I visit different places where Taliban were attacked by drone strikes in the past and I meet some of the Taliban commander and others even some of them were my classmate in the past.

They told me and I saw by myself that daily some new people come and join the Taliban and everybody is ready to carry on suicide attack in Afghanistan happily. So it shows that Taliban are still strong and they are not yet defeated and nor defeatable very soon and the only solution is a process of dialogue to stop the bloodshed and massacre of the innocent people of Afghanistan and Tribal of Pakistan.”

Waziri also described how one young man had a fall- out with his father who scolded him, the boy’s answers was to run off to join the Taliban. He said that “if you go after them some will even turn on their family.”

Drones are costly, counter -productive and their use violates human rights law. The US and allies carrying out and supporting drone strikes are according to reports recently released by human rights organizationa committing war crimes. Drones must be stopped.

Thanks to PTI for anti-drone posters.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

On Friday evening I started to get reports in of an incident in Rawalpindi, Pakistan as Shia Muslims took part in a procession marking the religious festival of Ashura. This annual event commemorates the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

One source claimed a Shia procession was passing by a Mosque, Ghulam Ullah Masjid, and the cleric requested them to tread carefully to avoid harming people in the congregational Friday prayer. It is claimed some took the request from the cleric as an insult and claimed they were being abused with hate speech from the mosque. Violence then erupted between Sunni and Shia muslims leading to the storming of a religious seminary in Raja Bazaar.

The Mosque which was situated on the first floor was set on fire including dozens of shops on the ground floor beneath. Terrified persons inside are said to have begged the Pakistani Police & Paramilitary-Rangers to save them. The level of intervention from the Rawalpindi law enforcement is unclear though one source alleged troops turned a blind eye to those attacked. Fighting appears to have involved, knives, stones and guns with estimates of those injured varying between 70 and 100 and may have included children. The “official” death toll at 9 though some claim numbers are higher.

There were concerns that outside agitators may be involved or organized militias. Journalists are said to have been attacked and cameras smashed. The army was also called in to deal with disturbances reported in the Multan and Bhawalnagar districts of Punjab province with 25 injured in Multan. Cell phone services were blocked in Rawalpindi as a security measure. In addition the Pakistani authorities imposed a curfew which was halted for three hours on Saturday and lifted on Monday morning.

Images of alleged victims which appeared on social media sites

There is anger from many at what they view as a media “black-out”. Associated Press of Pakistan recording of events can be viewed on the following link  http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=249532&Itemid=2 

With tensions running high it was clear from speaking to journalists in the region that some fear writing on such divisions in a country where they not only experience verbal threats but risk physical violence on a regular basis with murders not uncommon.

On Saturday, Chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan, Tehreek -e- Insaf (PTI) expressed his grave concern over the incitement to sectarian violence that is spreading across the country. He appealed to the people of Pakistan for a show of unity across the land stating,

“Those who are spreading this message of hatred amongst Muslims are clearly enemies of Islam and Pakistan and are deliberately destroying the stability and peace of the country. PTI condemns all such agendas”

Khan had planned to visit hospitals in Rawalpindi but was not allowed to enter from any point. A press conference was also postponed. Madrassa students were photographed marching, trying to reach Liaqat bagh for funeral prayers despite curfew.

Maulana Rehman  Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) stated that the Rawalpindi tragedy proved a failure of the security agencies alleging a conspiracy against the country and that the government must uncover who was responsible for the violence.

A photographic image shared on social media on Saturday seemed to symbolize the anger and frustration felt by many again highlighting divisions. The photo which appeared in Dawn and Al Jazeera articles on Rawalpindi and was labelled as “Pakistani Shiite Muslims assist an injured Sunni Muslim following clashes during an Ashura procession in Rawalpindi on November 15, 2013 (AFP, Aamir Qureshi).” Many claimed the image was a false representation. The blood stained man had clearly been attacked (that could be seen on a video where he was surrounded by a mob). What wasn’t clear was exactly who or how many had attacked him and who and how many (if any) had assisted him and what was his fate.

Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) stated they will take revenge for this attack and questioned, where is media who take issues against Taliban but don’t see see the brutal acts of Shia.

Back in 2013, the Shia, Hazara were on the receiving end of a bomb in Quetta which killed 84 and injuring 169 people. Sunni militant group Laskhar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the bombing For several days mourners refused to bury their dead protesting at a lack of protection from local and national forces, in the face of repeated attacks.

In a new video release from Omar Khalid Khorasani following events in Rawalpindi which will strike fear in many, he delivers an invitation to start an Arab like uprising which he states will be fully supported by Taliban. The TTP leader, Mohmand Agency, terms the Rawalpindi incident as similar to Red Mosque attack under the supervision of Army and alleges that army has also supervised and planned this recent altercation. Taliban highlight what they see as Pakistan selling out to US, aid and dollars. They criticise media coverage of events in Pakistan claiming biased representation. TTP also claim casualty figures in Rawalpindi are far higher than reported.

Geo News reported that a judicial commission has been formed to investigate what happened in Rawalpindi. Lahore High Court (LHC) Judge, Justice Mamoon Rashid Shaikh will head the commission called for by the Punjab government. In an article in the Express Tribune today the following statement appears;

“According to sources, the provincial government convinced the Deobandi scholars to calm down their followers and avoid any reactionary measures in response to the Rawalpindi incident, such as calling strikes or protest rallies. In return, the government assured the religious leaders that it would bear all expenses for the reconstruction of shops and buildings burnt down during the violence, and provide some compensation to the families of these victims”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/633073/rawalpindi-violence-lhc-forms-commission-to-probe-incident/

Abdullah Khan, Director of Conflict Monitoring Centre expressed his thoughts,

“Sectarian rift in the society has deep roots….. Hate speech is the root cause of the issue but we lecture society to be tolerant without addressing root cause. One can never show tolerance when his dear ones are abused. Lets campaign for banning hate speech and tolerance will be ultimate result.” 

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

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It seems the westernization of Malala is near completion… The gutsy schoolgirl that highlighted the importance of education is now promoting “Glamour Women of the Year Award” at Carnegie Hall, New York. The kind of occasion that alongside showcasing the mostly white ideals of beauty, acts as a self-congratulatory show for celebrities doing their bit for social justice.

No doubt these women feel even better about themselves now for graciously allowing Malala to take centre stage to accept her reward and blow kisses to screaming girls. She clearly bowled over the aptly named Lady Gaga, “if I could forfeit my Glamour cover I would give it to Malala,” she said, tottering on breakneck heels and looking like a female version of Edward Scissorhands.

So what next… photographers queuing up for permission from Edelman PR company to use a photoshopped image of Ms Yousafzai suitably slimmed and lightened for a western audience, backlit, uplit and whatever else lit.

The Glamour awards honored the “who’s who” survivors of US shooting tragedies. FACT (despite what you may read in media regarding terror threat) you are more likely to be shot by a toddler in America than be involved in a terrorist incident. (Not sure if awards are given out for being shot or avoiding being shot!)

Singer, Barbara Streisand did a least remind the audience that the country currently helping to “save” the women of Afghanistan through occupation and drone strikes (unlike several Asian countries) has never actually had a female President. So much for equality.

Inspirational survivors of US army rape were not in attendance at the Glamour awards. (There are so many sexual assault victims perhaps it would have been difficult to single out only one).

I note no female drone survivors graced the red carpet either.

Also at the awards were Bill and Melinda Gates saving the world from disease. (They might like to start with challenging the US government regarding their record on health first). A couple of points here:-

1) Let’s not forget that the US contributed to spreading the global AIDS epidemic through its prison plasma programme, prioritizing “profit over safety” by shipping “dirty blood” round the globe. (Ask Bill Clinton what’s hidden in his old backyard, Arkansas State Penitentiary and subsequent cover-up).

2) We must also remember that the CIA used the cover of a health vaccination programme and unethically the services of Dr Shakil Afridi to target bin Laden. Thus US actions effectively halted the polio programme in parts of Pakistan and led to health workers being shot as spies.

Well done America… any awards for that!

Malala must by now have learnt the art of airkissing women at publicity events as well as shaking hands with western men. She will no doubt have been photographed alongside the latest emaciated female role models, faces stuck forever in “mouth pout” mode.

It’s heartening though for us mere mortals to know that an issue is only an issue in society if officially endorsed by a celebrity… Welcome to the world of global food programmes endorsed by career anorexics and health initiatives supported by coke sniffing addicts. America land of the “free” home of the bizarre!

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Treason doth never prosper: what’s the reason?
For if it prosper, none dare call it treason. 

Sir John Harington

Could alleged collaboration with US on drones strikes against citizens in Pakistan constitute treason against the state of Pakistan?

Below is the definition of “high treason” as defined within the laws of the country.

High treason.—¹[(1)     Any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance, or attempts or conspires to abrogate or subvert or suspend or hold in abeyance, the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by any other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.]

(2) Any person aiding or abetting ²[or collaborating] the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.

³[(2A) An act of high treason mentioned in clause (1) or clause (2) shall not be validated by any court including the Supreme Court and a High Court.]

(3) ⁴[Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament)] shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason.

http://pakistanconstitutionlaw.com/article-6-high-treason/

Recently the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif met with President Obama and US Secretary of State, John Kerry.

On 24^th October 2013 the BBC stated that Sharif discussed several issues with Obama including sovereignty and counter-terrorism and Sharif is reported as saying,

“I also brought up the issue of drones in our meeting, emphasising the need for an end to such strikes”

On 2^nd November, BBC reported  that Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Pakistan’s interior minister has said the death of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud has destroyed the country’s nascent peace process,

“this is not just the killing of one person, it’s the death of all peace efforts”

On 4^th November 2013, Sharif is reported by BBC as saying that,

“US drone strikes violate Pakistan’s sovereignty and international laws and are counter-productive to efforts to bring peace and stability to the country and the region….

Gone are the days when our national security policies were determined through telephone calls from abroad. We now have a democratically elected government, chosen by the people of Pakistan”

Commenting on the need to end violence Sharif said,

“but it cannot be done over-night, nor can it be done by unleashing senseless force against our citizens, without first making every effort to bring the misguided and confused elements of society back to the mainstream”.

“the government has to ensure that political parties, the military and civil society are on the same page to create an environment necessary to tackle this problem”

Surely then, given that all those participating in the All Parties Conference (APC)  had made a unanimous decision to go for dialogue with insurgents, then anyone within Pakistan involved in sharing intelligence leading to a drone strike would be guilty of treason against the government. If so, those collaborating have allegedly contributed to acts carried out to inflict damage (senseless force) on Pakistani citizens thus subverting away from a government’s democratic process.

Force in the form of a drone strike has been used against Pakistani citizens on multiple occasions and that force has now derailed a democratic decision to work towards peace talks made by the political parties of Pakistan.

This issue should not be separated from judging the nature of individuals targeted by drones within Pakistan instead focus on whether treason may have been committed against an elected government.

Given this line of thought, a lawyer could look back retrospectively to the recorded words of this government and previous governments against drones to determine any dates where other internal agents may have co-operated with the US to inflict drone strikes which would allegedly be “high treason”.

As Farooq Sumar points out in his excellent article Taliban Talks Sabotaged in the Daily Times (Monday Nov 11^th 2013);

It is said that for a successful drone strike ground support in the form of intelligence is required, which means spies, chips, and lasers etc would be needed. Then the question arises who has been providing this intelligence and hardware and why? If it was provided by our intelligence agencies in the past as a result of the secret agreement, should it not have been stopped with the coming of the Sharif government and its publicly announced policy against drones? One can either conclude that the government’s writ does not extend to the defence establishment or that the Nawaz government is also complicit and hypocritical. In both cases it raises serious issues for the nation to ponder.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2013%5C11%5C11%5Cstory_11-11-2013_pg3_5

Governments can’t play it both ways, they are either for or against drone strikes.

Talking in the Geo News programme ‘Aapas Ki Baat’ last Friday, Najam Sethi alleged national security institutions of Pakistan were fully involved in the drone attack on Hakimullah Mehsud.

Imran Khan stated to the BBC that the US drone strike was “absolutely deliberate – this was a deliberate targeting of the peace process.” However the obvious question to follow should surely be, were the US working in isolation or in collaboration with Pakistan agencies against an elected body.

If Pakistan government is against drones, then every effort must be made to determine who exactly is involved in betraying the government which would mean the US being called upon to submit any information showing co-operation from within Pakistan and acts of conspiracy. A government that is dishonest with the people does not deserve to be in power.

Nawaz Sharif is reported in Business Standard as not wanting to take a tough stance against US for “one incident” but this is a total cop-out, and an insult to voters. it is many incidents and probably with a fair amount of assistance from those within Sharif’s own country http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/nawaz-sharif-rejects-tough-stance-against-us-post-mehsud-s-death-in-drone-strike-113111100154_1.html

Again if as the article below states there was no written agreement with US to allow drones strikes and the government are stating in public they are not supporting drone strikes, then an argument could be made for treason for anyone within Pakistan supporting targeted killing through providing information leading to an attack http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-26568-Govt-says-no-written-agreement-found-to-allow-drone-strikes

Arguably the most famous treason case in Britain was that of a disillusioned Catholic named Guy Fawkes attempting to blow up Protestant King James I and his parliament. The drone strike in Pakistan was not aimed at obliterating the government but by blowing up Hakimullah Mehsud and his companions it has undoubtedly also blown up and sabotaged the APC’s chances of dialogue and we have yet to see what blowback may follow.

As someone that assisted lawyers in the UK taking cases against my own government, sometimes even lawyers can’t see the wood for the trees or perhaps don’t have the courage or initiative to try a new legal approach. If I were a lawyer in Pakistan right now, treason would one legal route I would be pursuing to “assist” the government in its efforts to keep alive hopes for dialogue. Then the government might also maintain a modicum of credibility with ordinary citizens who are deserving of peace.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also the survivor of US “collateral damage”.

“…our species is one, and each of the individuals who compose it are entitled to equal moral consideration.”

Michael Ignatieff, Human Rights as Politics and Idolatry

I strongly reject the viewpoint put forward by Major-General Julian Thompson calling for clemency for a soldier, known as Marine A who chose to execute a wounded Afghan insurgent in Helmand Province when it was his duty to treat the wounded man.

Marine A received a life sentence whilst two others, Marines B and C were cleared of charges. All three had been granted anonymity because of the risk they would become targets for terrorists.

I don’t care how distinguished Major Thompson is in his field, Marine A deserves neither clemency, anonymity nor reduction of his life sentence. There must be transparency and accountability to maintain a civilized society.

Marine A broke the Geneva Convention in an act described by Brigadier Bill Dunham, of the Royal Marines as “a truly shocking and appalling aberration.” This case must be an example to others, a deterrent from actions that promote inhumanity and discredit those Marines that do follow the Convention. To date 195 countries have signed the convention (which dates back to 1864) including Britain and Afghanistan.

The Geneva Convention declares the following,

“the person of the soldier who has been wounded or who is sick, and for that reason is ‘hors de combat’ (out of action) is from that moment sacred and inviolable. He must be tended with the same care, whether he be friend or foe”

Article three of the third convention rules that members of the armed forces who have laid down their arms or who cannot fight due to sickness, wounds or detention should be,

“treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, colour, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria”

Let’s deal with fact. Marine B inadvertently captured footage of the killing of a wounded Afghan prisoner on his helmet-mounted camera. Marine A was shown shooting the Afghan prisoner in the chest at point blank range, saying, “there, shuffle off this mortal coil… It’s nothing you wouldn’t do to us.”

For state actors to dismiss the serious nature of such crimes means that they are giving licence for the military to act outside of the law. There is continued pressure on the public to support soldiers whatever their behaviour through the false rhetoric often given by western media of a “just war”.  This is abhorrent to those of us that reject imperialism, invasion and aggression and who exercise our right to promote a message of peace. We will not be told who we should view as our enemy but choose to think for ourselves.

Joe Glenton, a former soldier who refused to serve a second tour in Afghanistan on legal and moral grounds which resulted in five months in military prison believes that “soldier worship” is blinding Britain to the grim reality of war, he argues,

“we should not feel compelled to point out that those brave men and women are fighting in Afghanistan to secure our safety every time the military is mentioned. First, because it is not true that they are; and second, because such blustering at the merest glimpse of camouflage clothing is an obvious and embarrassing capitulation to dogma” http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/nov/08/soldier-worship-royal-marine-murder-afghan

The public need to get real. Britain INVADED Afghanistan and many within are going to defend their territory as we would defend ours if Afghans decided to suddenly occupy Britain. Did the Resistance not fight a guerrilla war when France was occupied by the Nazis? Invaders are greeted with guns as opposed to roses, insurgents plant bombs not throw bouquets. What exactly do the Marines expect!

The video footage of this murder should be released not censored. The argument given by Judge Jeff Blackett, Judge Advocate General that the video is so inflammatory it would be used as a gift to terrorist propagandists does not stand.

Truth is NOT propaganda, the reality is one murdered prisoner and not a mention of the impact on the grieving relatives of this man. He was some mother’s son, maybe a brother, a husband, a father.

This was a cold-blooded, pre-meditated murder of an injured person who lay captive on the ground, too weak to defend himself. Dr Nicholas Hunt, a pathologist told the court that the man was still alive at the time he was shot and could be seen “deliberately” moving his limbs and “made a facial expression as if he was in pain”.

War is cruel, traumatic and bloody. I have news for Marine A… life IS unfair, the acts of US and British governments unlawfully killed two of my family and harmed 4,500 of my community, not in war but in civilian life. Yes we get very angry and distressed. Would there be clemency and anonymity for me if I chose to kill the many politicians, members of corporations, health professionals, lawyers and human rights organizations that colluded to cover up and stay silent on the deaths of my loved ones deemed state “collateral damage” in court.

We can all fantasize about taking revenge but Marine A, a professional soldier made a conscious decision to cross the line and take the life of an incapacitated prisoner. As General Mike Jackson, former head of the army stated, “it’s not about whether the Taliban do or do not adhere to whatever set of rules, if any. It is about the standards which apply to the British armed forces which are drawn from the Geneva Convention.”

Islamic Emirate (Afghan Taliban) regularly post information regarding claims of human rights abuses allegedly inflicted by US and allies on civilians and insurgents in Afghanistan, stating their claims are often ignored by international human rights organizations. One person with sympathies towards Taliban had this to say,

 “they just want to use this “prosecution” to show the world how civilized they are as compared to Taliban. In reality their soldiers have done worse things and are still serving and there is no prosecution for them. This is just a sham to fool the public”

In contrast to the killing of this Afghan insurgent, I point to the case of Bowe Bergdahl, the American prisoner of war held by insurgents somewhere in the Afghan/Pakistan border region. On my last inquiry I was told he was in good health and in a safe house. Recently I submitted several questions to the Taliban inquiring as to his current condition on humanitarian grounds and was told they would do their best to pass on my questions to Bowe. Contrary to what we might be led to believe in the media regarding treatment of all foreign soldiers, Afghan insurgents do appear to be following the Geneva Convention for this particular prisoner of war.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

Reprieve Press Statement Wed Nov 6, 2013

The British government is refusing to grant visas to three Pakistani drone strike victims, including Noor Khan, who is suing the UK over its role in intelligence-sharing with the CIA. All three men had been invited to speak at a Parliamentary meeting on drones that was scheduled to take place today. Last week, the Rehman family – whose grandmother was killed in a drone strike – travelled to the US to speak at a drone strike having been granted visas.

Noor Khan has launched legal action over the British Government’s refusal to come clean on its policy of providing intelligence to support the CIA’s covert drone war. Reports have stated that GCHQ shares intelligence with the US in support of their drone programme, which is considered to violate international law.

Noor Khan was to be accompanied by Kareem Khan, whose son and brother were killed in a strike on News Year’s Eve 2009. Kareem Khan is, along with his lawyers the Foundation for Fundamental Rights and Reprieve, suing Jonathan Banks, the former CIA Station Chief in Pakistan, and John Rizzo, former CIA General Counsel, for the murder of his son and brother. Noor Behram, a journalist who has been investigating and photographing drone strikes in the tribal areas of Pakistan for almost six years, was also scheduled to attend.

Mr Khan, Mr Behram, and Mr Khan were due to speak at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on drones hosted by MP Tom Watson, who had written letters supporting their visa applications. They were to be joined on a panel by Robert Greenwald, a US documentary filmmaker whose new film, Unmanned, profiles the men’s stories.

Cori Crider, Reprieve’s Strategic Director, said: “It is an unfortunate coincidence that David Cameron is refusing to grant a visa to the very same man who is suing his government over its role in the drone strike that killed his father. Just last week the Rehman family were able to tell their story to the US yet the UK seems unwilling to extend a similar courtesy to these three victims of the drone programme. The British government must reconsider and grant the men visas.”

MP Tom Watson, said: “It’s very disppointing that visas have not been granted in time for the drone victims invited by the APPG on drones to speak today. Last week the Rehman family travelled to the US and testified to Congress about their grandmother who was killed by a CIA drone. The UK must allow Noor Khan and other survivors into the country so that we too can hear these lost voices.”

ENDS

Reprieve website http://www.reprieve.org.uk/

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US collateral damage…