Tarik on hunger strike
We are most disturbed to have received the email below from Tarik's son, Zihad, informing us that he began a hunger strike on 8 October. All concerned are doing their best to dissuade him from continuing it. However we have to understand his decision in the context of the dreadful position he is in and the depths of despair to which he has sunk during his prolonged, unexplained and illegal imprisonment.
In particular we have asked the Red Cross / Red Crescent to try to reach Tarik in prison and do what they can for him.
Hi Mr. GaryI visited my father today, and I found him going on a hunger strike once again, since 08 Oct.
My uncle and I tried to make him to retreated of his decision, but he was constant on his decision.
They are trying to torture psychologicaly, nobody of them is explaining for him or for us, the situation that my father is in, and when he will see the light in dark tunnel?
Even when he is asking them, he gets no answers (just a smile "everything will be ok"). This way of the torture, has been taken by Saddam's regime in the past.
It is going to be 3 years of freezing, for the past 3 years they were moving just their mouth, some times for disturbing, and some times for claming down, but they didn't move their hands to give us an officially paper at all. He says:
"I'm not gave up or scared; on the contrary I'm brave as you know me, therefore I'm striving beside you for the sake of my freeness, and if I die I want to be entombed in UK, and my casket covered with UK flag, far-off of this hell that every faithful and smart person that believes in democracy and in human freedom and rights in the life, is neglected person, contrary to the UK."
I want to contact ICRC & HRW, for quick intervene, maybe I could reach his friends (Patrick & Nicolas) at the ICRC, for supporting him with any urgent possible help, and try to convince him to start eating again.
As you know he has been going on hunger strike for several times before, and there was a good Asaish friend of my father that was taking a good care of him, also he made him stop his hunger strike during our absence before. But they moved him to somewhere else, which it is worrying to be my father without a friend affecting on him to stop his hunger strike.
My father sent to you his hottest regards & hug, and he says "you great man my brother Gary".
Best regards & wishes,
Ziyad
