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Sami al Haj: From Guantanamo Bay to Al Jazeera

By possum

Sami Al Haj was was working as a cameraman for al-Jazeera in December 2001.  As a Sudanese citizen he was covering the American-led invasion of Afghanistan.  The tale begins with his transit into Afghanistan through Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities arrested him at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in December 2001 and turned him over to American authorities in January 2002, to make a little cash.

Like most of the people turned over by Pakistan Sami was innocent.

Sami Al Haj was transferred to Guantanamo on June 13, 2002. The Pentagon accused him of secretly interviewing Osama Bin Laden (an odd accusation, considering that several American reporters have openly interviewed the man), gun-smuggling for al-Qaeda, and running an Islamist website. Those claims were just thrown out there, without evidence. None was ever produced. No charges were ever filed.

In spite of mistreatment and worsening health, Al Haj stood his ground against the American authorities.

As a parting indignity his captors attempted to make him sign a document asserting that al Haj would never work for al Jazeera again.

Then today the good news

Al Jazeera will [today] launch its Public Liberties and Human Rights Desk, which will be headed by Sami Al Haj

Good for Al Haj.  Good for human rights.  Good for Al Jazeera.  

Peace.

Full post as published by Never In Our Names on November 01, 2008 (boomark / email).