Cageprisoners
20th July 2009
On 18th July 2009, Mahmoud Abu Rideh was taken to hospital having severely self-harmed. After having spent years in detention without charge and then living life under a control order, he has found life unbearable. The repeated, horrific slashing of his left arm with a razor this weekend demonstrates the desperation this man feels at having been detained for so long on the basis of secret evidence and being denied the ability to leave the United Kingdom. Photos of his horrific injuries are below.
According to Moazzam Begg, Director of Cageprisoners, “Mahmoud Abu Rideh has been driven to attempting suicide several times over the past eight agonising years. Two days ago he nearly succeeded. He’s been barred from contact with ordinary human beings - except for the two or three cleared by the Home Office. He is man who is not permitted to communicate with me because I told his story on the Cageprisoners website. But, if I am not allowed to give him words of comfort and prevent him from further self-harm, then I urge everyone who can, to request clearance from the authorities to go and visit this poor, stateless, Palestinian Muslim, who has never been charged with a crime - here or abroad - and visit him before it’s too late.”
Update: Cageprisoners have been notified since issuing this alert that Mahmoud Abu Rideh has today received his travel document from the Home Office. The document was clearly issued on Friday but despite telephone calls requesting notification, his solicitors were not informed on Friday nor on Monday until the Treasury Solicitors were pressed. In consequence Mahmoud had a very difficult weekend as detailed above. He is now attempting to obtain a visa.
Take Action For Mahmoud Abu Rideh
1. Send a message of support to Mahmoud Abu Rideh by emailing contact@cageprisoners.com
2. Donate to support Mahmoud Abu Rideh’s family. Abu Rideh’s family left the UK in May after suffering for years as a result of his control order. Their passports were stamped, preventing them to return to the UK despite the fact that they remain British nationals. The impact on the family and in particular the children’s education was tremendous. The children are now ineligible for a free education in Jordan as they are British nationals. The family also need £700 to repay a loan for cargo costs to transfer their belongings from the UK to Jordan.
Account Name: Al Ikhlas Foundation
Account Number: 00449971
Sort Code: 30-96-88
SWIFT: LOYDGB21312
IBAN: GB72LOYD30968800449971
3. Apply to visit Mahmoud Abu Rideh via his solicitors at Birnberg Peirce and Partners. This will require vetting/clearance by the Home Office. Please contact Cageprisoners or the Muslim Prisoner Support Group for further information.
4. The Muslim Prisoner Support Group is devising a rota of brothers to spend nights with Mahmoud Abu Rideh. Please contact them if you would like to volunteer info@muslimprisonersupport.com / 07796 126 880
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