''The civilisation of a country is being measured by the way it treats its adversaries''

Anoymous

Dear Editors and Readers,

Recently the Scottish government has decided to release the Lockerbie convict, Mr Megrahi, on humanitarian grounds, since he is dying of prostate cancer and has only 3 months to live.

See

www.scotland.gov.uk/News/This-Week/Speeches/Safer-and-stronger/lockerbie-statement

Not only this decision is according to the commonly accepted principle, that seriously or terminally ill prisoners should be released, it also is according humanitarian values and principles of civilisation

See

pr.indymedia.org/news/2009/08/38368.php

However, especially in certain American political circles, this decision is not only received with harsh criticism, also Mrs Clinton, US Foreign Secretary of State, has tried to pressure the Scottish government to prevent release, happily without any result

See

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/8201188.stm

www.newstatesman.com/2009/08/scottish-government-release

news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/south_of_scotland/8206458.stm


Not only this criticism is utterly hypocritical, especially with regard to the unpunished American bombings on Libya in 1988 by which more than 300 civilians have died [1], it is also contrary humanitarian values and principles of civilisation

The worst criticism, however, stemmed from Mr Mueller, Director of the FBI.
In a letter to the Scottish government he called the release ''a mockery of Justice''

Also he wrote to the Scottish Authorities
'''Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world.'

See

www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-us-lockerbie23-2009aug23,0,6543410.story


To show him a lesson in civilisation and human rights, I have written to him underlying letter, which I like to forward to you under P/S


Kind greetings

Astrid Essed
Amsterdam
The Netherlands


[1]


American bombings on Libya
Wikipedia:

See

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombing_of_Libya

BBC News
15 1986 US launches airstrikes on Libya

news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/april/15/newsid_3975000/3975455.stm


See also:

Article Mr A Veldhof [Dutch Labour politician]
''American and other terrorists''
From September 11th, 1973 to September 11th 2001
Translation of ''Terrorists versus terrorists'', Parool [Dutch newspaper, addition Astrid Essed], 15th march 2003

www.tni.org/detail_page.phtml


P/S



TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE FBI
MR R MUELLER

REGARDING YOUR POINT OF VIEW CONCERNING THE RELEASE OF THE LOCKERBIE CONVICT, MR MEGRAHI

''The civilisation of a country is being measured by the way it treats its adversaries''

Anoymous

''No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. ''

Article 5, Universal Declaration of Human Rights



Dear Mr Mueller,


By this letter I would like to draw your attention for the following

I have learnt with deep concern and indignation about your condemnation of the releasement of the Lockerbie convict, Mr Megrahi, on humanitarian grounds, who is dying of prostate cancer

In a letter to the Scottish Minister of Justice Mr Mac Askill you write among else, that this releasement is a ''mockery of Justice'' and '''Your action gives comfort to terrorists around the world.'

Your point of view is not only in contrary with the widespread principle, that seriously or terminally ill prisoners must be released, it is also contrary the fundamental humanitarian values and principles of civilisation

As you'll know, the releasement of seriously ill prisoners is a commonly ackowldged principle

In this spirit of humanity, the Scottish government has acted
Also recently, the Dutch Queen Beatrix recently has pardoned a terminally ill prisoner, who has committed a double murder [1]

In the second place it will be known to you, that the right on humanity and dignity is one of the key principles of human rights.
In this case, this implies the right of any dying or seriously ill prisoner, to spent his last days or months in dignity, surrounded by his family and friends, regardless the committed crime

The denial of that right is barbarious and a return to the Dark Middle Ages, and in contrary with the main principles of christianity, Judaism and Islam

THAT would be a ''mockery of Justice''

Of course I strongly condemn the Lockerbie bombings in 1988, by which 270 people have died and I agree, that such crimes should be strictly punished
But since Mr Megrahi has served punishment already, his releasement is only a matter of humanity

Therefore I applaud the decision of the Scottish government, which is based on real humanity and true christian principles


EPILOGUE:

Your remark about ''comfort to terrorists around the world'' suggests, that you deny fundamental human rights to real or alleged ''terrorists''.
This is very alarming, certainly for someone who has to serve the Law

May I kindly remind you of the fact, that human rights are universal, regardless of the person or committed crime

An important human right implies the release OF ANY TERMINALLY ILL PRISONER, regardless of the committed crime, to die in dignity.

Whether it concerns a non-political crime, a terror-crime or an American soldier, who is convicted for murder in Iraq [2]

I speak out hope, that you may return to the true principles of humanity, based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and christianity


Kind regards
Your sincerely

Astrid Essed

Amsterdam
The Netherlands


[1]


www.rnw.nl/english/article/prison-pardon-terminal-patient


[2]


www.welt.de/english-news/article3783478/U-S-soldier-sentenced-to-life-in-Iraq-murder-case.html