The man responsible for leading the CIA to Osama Bin Laden has just been jailed by the Pakistani government. Dr. Shakil Afridi was charged with treason for running a fake vaccination program. The program was set up by the US government to locate the ex-leader of Al Qaeda.
Dr. Afridi was tried under the tribal justice system. He was not present at the hearing, and had no legal representation. This is a monstrous injustice and the US government agree. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for his release, but this is not enough.
Dr. Afridi should be treated as a hero, not a criminal. However, Pakistan have not done this to punish him. They are unhappy with the way the US “disrespected” their sovereignty during the capture.
The US Senate has approved $1bn aid for 2013. If this supply was cut off, it may force Pakistan to reverse the charge. This man made our world a safer place, we must free him. Sign and share this petition.
To the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton,
We, the undersigned, are horrified by the incarceration of Dr Shakil Afridi. This petition is to ask the US Government to do more to secure his release. We suggest the suspension of the $1bn aid recently approved by the Senate until Dr. Afridi is freed.
This man was not legally represented and was not allowed to be present at the court case. He should have been provided more support and protection by the US Government for his role in the capture of Osama Bin Laden. That this hero is being treated as a criminal is wholly unjust. We put our faith in you to do the right thing.
Thank you for your attention.
