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Très bonne nouvelle!!! | Some Good News!!

Aujourd`hui, Djamel a été transféré de la maison d`arrêt de Bois d`Arcy à celle de la Santé. La grande nouvelle c`est qu`il est sorti de l`isolement dans lequel il se trouvait depuis 2 ans. Et qu`il reste dans la région parisienne, ce qui nous facilitera les visites, même si nous ne sommes pas souvent la-bas.

Il a pu nous appeler rapidement, et il avait l`air d`aller bien, le transfert s`est bien passé, ses affaires ont bien suivies apparement. Ce petit plus de liberté l`a tellement changé qu`il était fatigué, il était etonné de voir des détenus marcher devant lui alors qu`il était au téléphone, en accés libre dorénavant! Al HamduliLlah…

Il transmet son salam à tous et remercie les gens qui prient pour lui, prières qui ont sans doute été entendues, les choses ont été facilitées.

Nous sommes soulagés pour lui, et nous attendons dans un proche avenir d`autres bonnes nouvelles, jusqu`à la libération complète…

Merci à tous pour vos soutien de la part de notre famille

Today, Djamel was transfered from the Bois d `Arcy holding facility to la Santé.The great news is that he is out of solitary confinement, which he had been in for two years. For the time being he is in the Paris area, which will facilitate visits for us, although we are not often there.

He was able to call us quickly, and he seemed to be doing well, the transfer went well, and his needs were being attended to. That extra bit of ‘freedom’ is such a big change that he became overwhelmed; he was surprised inmates walking in front of him, then surprised that he able to use the phone, free access from now on! Al Hamdulillah …

He sends his salaam to all and thanks the people praying for him; prayers that without a doubt have been heard, as things have become easier.

We are relieved for him, and we expect in the near future more good news, until his complete release …

Thank you all for your support from our family

Enseveli dans l’Oubliette des terroristes français

20 Oct

Few months ago, the European Court of human rights confirmed the admissibility of a complaint made by Babar Ahmad, Haroon Rashid Aswat and Syed Talha Ahsan. Their extradition to the US was prevented since the stringency of the conditions at ADX Florence (a “supermax” prison) for what might be the rest of their lives, inhumane or degrading treatment. The plight of Bradley Manning, the alleged wikileaks “leaker”, has also shed light upon the infamous treatment of detainees placed in solitary confinement in US custody.

Many international instruments have affirmed that prisoners have the right to be dealt with in a way compatible with human dignity and that they should be safe from any form of degrading treatment. The UN Human Rights Committee, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and the European Commission on Human rights have stated that isolation, in certain conditions, can constitute a cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment. Different factors need to be taken into account such as the stringency of the measure, its duration, the objective pursued and the effects it has on the person. We sometimes stay focused on the American carceral system due to its reputation. However, a text written by Djamel Beghal in the darkness of his cell shows us the ignominy of solitary confinement in French prisons.

Djamel Beghal has spent nine years under this regime. He has been transferred from cell to cell, from prison to prison, always living under the same harsh conditions. His account is shameful and horrendous.

Djamel spends 22 or 23 hours alone in his cell. He is allowed a recreation time in a minuscule space, always alone and indoors. He can never see another inmate. When he is displaced for any reason, the floor or the whole prison is blocked. Only the senior guard is permitted to talk to him or even to open the door of his cell. The shower and the recreational space are situated just in front of his dungeon and going there allows no more than five steps across the corridor. He is taken there by three to five guards.

The vastest room in which Djamel was incarcerated barely reached 9 meters square. He measured one of his cells in a Parisian prison with a small ruler. Result: 5 meters square. His cell is composed of an iron bed with an uncomfortable fireproof mattress. Bed sheets are torn and blankets have a strong and unpleasant smell, giving rise to skin allergies. Every single furniture is fixed in the wall. The table is as high as his chest. Even eating or writing becomes a painful exercise. Read the rest of this entry »

Western ‘Justice’: Civil Secular Democratic Destruction of Family

13 Oct

A united family, despite everything

The 15th of July will mark the tenth year of our family’s separation. Hamza was 9 years old, Mahdi 6 years old and Zeynab 3 years old. Since the terrible event, they forever keep in their hearts the memory of the life of freedom, protection, joy and adventure that their father provided them with. They never stop asking for his return, in their own ways. Sometimes it is through heavy silences that speak louder than words, other times; it is through never ending talks, or through tears that remain unshed, due to modesty. But the faith in which they are growing up has permitted them to endure the situation and remain hopeful, despite everything.

They are now 18, 15 and 12 years of age, respectively.

After our return to France in March 2002, six months after the incarceration of my husband, we decided – my husband and I – that I would go back with the children to the United Kingdom due to the difficulties encountered in France regarding their education. There, I would be able to stay closer to them; which was vital, given the family predicament. It is my right, no matter what others want to make me believe, to dedicate my life to my house and children, before all else. It is a long term investment, and a decision which we do not regret today.

At first, we visited Djamel three to four times per year, for one, two or three weeks depending on the school holidays, without being allowed more than three visits per week. We were offered a lodging here and there, by relatives or friends, depending on the availability of our hosts. The journey is long, and by car, most of the time. The visits themselves required a lot of organisation. Firstly, the size of the room reserved for the visits had to be taken into account. This would determine whether we were going to be able to visit Djamel all together, or whether we had to leave someone behind; which left a bitter taste. To add to this, there was the sheer difficulty of holding a whole family in this cell, due to its size and the children’s age. Read the rest of this entry »