Human rights attorney Clive Stafford Smith asserted on Tuesday that Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist incarcerated in the United States for over a decade, has experienced sexual assault on at least two occasions during her imprisonment.
Smith, who represents Dr. Aafia, disclosed that his client revealed these incidents of abuse during a meeting. He also indicated that the Pakistani government is aware of these instances of sexual assault.
Smith’s statements referred to a 2018 report by Aisha Farooqui, Pakistan’s former consul general in Houston, which highlighted the physical and sexual abuse suffered by Dr. Aafia during her detention. The report recommended that diplomatic authorities elevate her case to the highest level and seek repatriation for Dr. Aafia. Smith mentioned that a sexual assault complaint had been filed on her behalf, citing that she was also sexually assaulted in Bagram jail in Afghanistan, where the U.S. military operated its bases.
The attorney explained that the sexual assault in Bagram was used as an interrogation tactic. Dr. Fowzia Siddiqui, Dr. Aafia’s sister, who is currently in the U.S. to visit her imprisoned sister, reported that Dr. Aafia’s health did not seem good during their meeting, and prison staff allegedly provided better treatment in anticipation of scheduled visits.
Dr. Fowzia expressed frustration at being denied a meeting according to jail regulations but hoped for another meeting if the Pakistani consul general could persuade the authorities. Earlier this year, the sisters had reunited after 20 years, and Dr. Fowzia shared details of Dr. Aafia’s deteriorating condition during her imprisonment.
Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a U.S.-educated Pakistani scientist, was sentenced to 86 years in 2010 on charges of attempted murder and assault. The charges stemmed from an incident during an interview with U.S. authorities in Ghazni, Afghanistan, which she denied. Although she was suspected of Al-Qaeda links, she was never convicted. Dr. Aafia disappeared in 2003 and later resurfaced in Afghanistan, where she was arrested. The case has raised concerns about her treatment and human rights violations.
