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Open Letter to Home Land Security Asking
About Ahlam Ahmed Mahmoud Al-Jabouri
By Bronwyn Roe
ccun.org, July 6, 2008
To Whom It May Concern:
I wish to appeal to you on behave
of Ahlam Ahmed Mahmoud Al-Jabouri to whom I am greatly concerned. It
has come to my attention, through a mutual friend, that Mrs. Al-Jabouri
has recently been arrested due to her work and advocacy of the human
rights of fellow Iraqis. Despite her struggles with poverty, she
remains compelled by a sense of duty to aid those who without her
would remain powerless and to stand up against all odds to protect
her and other's fundamental human rights.
Mrs. Al-Jabouri and her two
children, Abdulah (9 year old son) and Ruqayah (11 year old
daughter,) were recently approved by IOM to resettle to the United
States. Her arrest has jeopardized her and her family's long
awaited-hope for resettlement and for the hope of beginning again a
normal and proactive life.
I have gotten to know Mrs. Al-Jabouri
through my documentary work as editor to a film shot in Syria a year
back. Emerging from hours of footage, a story of insurmountable
tragedy, grief, passion, and personal will has weaved together
before the screen and into my life. After hearing her stories of
kidnapping, torture, altruism, and valiance in the face of death or
obscurity, I felt compelled to contact her. We held up an email
correspondence and although brief it was just enough to secure my
belief in her utmost kindness, beauty, and compassion as a human
being.
Not solely is her captivity a
violation of one person's fundamental human rights but rather those
of an entire nation of forgotten people as well. I strongly urge
that Mrs. Ahlam Ahmed Mahmoud Al-Jabouri be immediately and
unconditionally released. Until her release, I ask you to assure the
physical safety of Mrs. Al-Jabouri while in detention and guarantee
that she is not subject to torture and/ or other ill treatment.
Finally, in light of the above
information, I urge you to act quickly to help correct this
situation and to incite the release of Ahlam Ahmed Mahmoud Al-Jabouri
(A File # 212048727, Case # SY-100616 for Homeland Security and
UNHCR). It would greatly be obliged if you could inform me of the
outcome of your investigation and actions.
Thank you for your time and concern, -
Bronwyn Roe
5 The Trail Hampton Bays, NY 11946
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