This video about Tahla Ahsan's case is deeply disturbing:
http://youtu.be/D4Cy8C2yCv0-----Original Message-----
From: The Disability-Research
Discussion List [mailto:
[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of m.hersh
Sent: 16 October 2012 23:02
To:
[log in to unmask]Subject: oppose extradition of autistic man Tahla Ahsan,
Could I ask people to write in support of Tahla Ahsan, an autistic man threatened with extradition to USA. Information below is from another email list.
Marion
In response to today's decision to halt the extradition of Gary McKinnon on
human rights grounds the Free Talha Ahsan Campaign requests the following:
- Comment on the preferential treatment McKinnon received compared to Talha
Ahsan. Send the BBC a SMS to 61124, or tweet @BBC_HaveYourSay or post here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19962844 <
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fnews%2Fuk-19962844&h=RAQGNodqRAQHMPNA-MsnNGTB3zfjhy_h9m8m3mBo2MuPaRg&s=1>
- Contact the National Autistic Society who called for McKinnon's extradition to
be stopped, whilst refusing to act for Talha Ahsan, despite having the same
diagnosis, citing "lack of capacity." Tweet @NASInfoCentre or email
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- Write letters to all the national and local newspapers covering this story and
comment on their
websites.
*Points to mention:*
- Talha Ahsan has the same Asperger diagnosis and risk assessment as Gary McKinnon.
- Despite this whilst McKinnon was bailed for ten years, Talha was detained
without charge or trial for over 6 years in high security prisons in legal
limbo, in conditions particularly difficult for an Aspergers sufferer to endure.
- Both were accused of computer related activity. McKinnon admitted his guilt
whilst Ahsan pleaded not guilty.
- The alleged crimes in both cases were committed on British soil yet the forum
bar has only been expediently introduced on the day of the McKinnon decision,
only ten days after Ahsan was extradited. Had this been applied earlier then the
extradition of Ahsan and Ahmad would not have proceeded.
- Expert advice was noted in McKinnon's case and led to extradition being halted
but were ignored in Ahsan's. Dr Quinton Deeley recommended
Talha receive
specialist care for his condition after he was diagnosed in 2009: "It should be
noted that by virtue of his Asperger's syndrome and depressive disorder, (Talha)
is an extremely vulnerable individual who, from a psychiatric perspective, would
be more appropriately placed in a specialist service for adults with autistic
disorders and co-morbid mental health problems, with a level of security
dictated by his risk assessment."
- Despite this diagnosis, Talha now faces life in prison in solitary confinement.
- Prime Minister David Cameron had previously stated: "Gary McKinnon is a
vulnerable young man and I see no compassion in sending him thousands of miles
away from his home and loved ones to stand trial. If he has questions to answer,
there is a clear argument to be made that he should answer them in a British
court".
- Mark Lever, chief executive of the National Autistic Society,
said "People
with Asperger syndrome can be vulnerable and the NAS argued long and hard for
the home secretary to take Gary's condition and its associated challenges into
account when making this decision." He said the extradition could have "serious
and potentially tragic ramifications".
These statements apply equally to Ahsan.
- The following statements of support for Talha Ahsan can be referred to:
BMJ Letter
http://freetalha.org/2012/08/bmj-letter-about-talha-ahsan/ <
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffreetalha.org%2F2012%2F08%2Fbmj-letter-about-talha-ahsan%2F&h=PAQE3VWoRAQGQO68D-fBK8J1rzLTyOBGlst3KFWFPsxVg-g&s=1>
Statement from Roderick Cobley
http://freetalha.org/2012/07/statement-of-support-roderick-cobley/Statement from Sarah Layzell, Aspirations Project
http://freetalha.org/2012/06/statement-of-support-aspirations-project/________________End of message________________
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