Moazzam Begg

Moazzam Begg was a young muslim working in Pakistan shortly after 9/11. He had been an idealist. He had visited sensitive places particularly in Afghanistan. And that was about it. Although it was enough to see him abducted from his home and, via Kandahar and Bagram, to become one of the British detainees in Guantanamo Bay.

He remained in detention for 3 years. He was in solitary confinement for much of the time. He was interrogated time and time again. He was threatened with death and torture. Finally he was freed without ever finding out what he was supposed to have done. Neither has he ever received an apology or explanation.

This is a well written book that confirms what we have all suspected about Guantanamo. The nightmare is made more stark by Begg's writing. He comes across as a quiet intelligent young man with a dry sense of humour. One poignant moment is when he and other detainees discuss the rights and wrongs of militant Islam - Begg taking a moderate tone which contrasts with the attitude of the powers that have detained him. Indeed he also shows a remarkable lack of bitterness. For months on end his only human contact was the particular guard who was watching him. He builds up a sympathetic relationship with these guards against whom no persoanl grudge is seen.

Anyone who has any doubts about this affront to human rights which should embarass all of us in the West should read this book.… (meer)