[View the story "Life after Guantanamo" on Storify ]Life after Guantanamo Activist Moazzam Begg talks ISIL, Islam and Syria. Storified by The Stream · Mon, Dec 01 2014 18:40:01
Recent terror charges levied against Moazzam Begg. a British citizen, were
dropped in October. Charges stemmed from a 2012 trip to Syria where Begg allegedly funded and provided training to terrorist groups. However, the case was discontinued when British spy agency, M15, released documents showing Begg’s travels
aligned with British foreign policy towards Syria.
In 2002, Begg was
jailed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for allegedly attending terrorist training camps and recruiting for al-Qaeda near the Afghanistan – Pakistan border. Begg claims that during his time at Guantanamo he witnessed widespread torture.
Begg was released in 2005 after the US government
was unable to charge him with a crime. In the ACLU video below, Begg recounts abuses at the Guantanamo Bay detention center:
Voices From Guantanamo: Moazzam Begg (Part 1 of 4)acluvideos
Begg is currently the director of Cage, an organisation that works with communities
affected by the war on terror. His group has worked with high profile
cases such as Shaker Aameer’s imprisonment. Aameer has been
detained in Guantanamo Bay for more than 12 years without being charged with a crime.
A letter Begg wrote in support of the @Standwithshaker campaign :
What crime is it that Shaker has committed for which he has paid the price equivalent to a life sentence without being convicted? The answer to this question is in the hands of those who have maintained and justified his detention, and they will have to answer it in the court of public opinion at some point. Perhaps the reason they have taken so long is that they know people like those organising the Stand With Shaker campaign will be waiting patiently for the truth to come out. And when it does, that day will be Shaker's day along with all those who stood by him.cageuk.org
When questioned about the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Begg
refuses to condemn the group. Rather, Begg calls for negotiations with ISIL.
Here are tweets by Moazzam Begg on ISIL:
US/UK didn't just bomb IS. They bombed many other Islamic groups including those who were fighting IS long before. What should we conclude?Moazzam Begg
To kill idea of ISIS Muslim & Arab world need major reform, while West keeps out but, since that will never happen ISIS is here to stay.Moazzam Begg
Many non-IS Muslims arrested & jailed 4 "no threat to public" terror offences. How many arrests of pro-Asad supporters even b4 IS rise? NONEMoazzam Begg
Begg has
condemned the beheading of UK journalist Alan Henning. He also wrote letters on Henning’s behalf to ISIL members, but claimed his letters were ignored by the UK government.
Below is an undelivered letter Begg wrote to ISIL:
5pillarz.com
UK Prime Minster David Cameron responds to Beggs claims:
“We are very happy to work with anybody. “My understanding is that Moazzam Begg did make some appeals, sadly, as we know, those appeals fell on deaf ears. "These people in Syria are absolutely brutal and really will stoop to any depths and do the most dreadful and ghastly things, and that is what's happened. "But if Moazzam Begg has information to provide about who these people are, he should provide it."telegraph.co.uk
With over
500 Britons fighting for ISIL, the UK government is currently
debating a terrorism bill that would make it illegal for British citizens to travel back and forth from Syria to fight for ISIL.
In an interview with
The Guardian Begg made the following statement on the West's handling of ISIL:
“I have advocated for negotiations with the Taliban, al-Qaida and negotiations with Isis. The Turks have been [talking] with them. They got their people out... What does Britain do? Britain says let’s abandon our people, let them die [so we can] look tough.”theguardian.com
@AJStream Militarization of conflicts has exacerbated instead of solving problems, the west n it's cronies should change gear! #NegotiationsSafia
@AJStream Treat them as a resource, not a threat. Leverage their experiences & disillusionment in ways that dissuade others from going...Sarah Badawi
@AJStream
Diplomatic solution is the only solution for #Peace.
War is Start of #Revenge.
Air Bombing make #ISIL more strongSaleem Mohammad Khan
The day Begg was
released from prison for his 2012 trip to Syria, UK Prime Minster David Cameron made the following statement about Britons traveling to Iraq and Syria to join ISIL:
And to those who have had all the advantages of being brought up in Britain, but who want to go and fight for ISIL – let me say this. If you try to travel to Syria or Iraq, we will use everything at our disposal to stop you: Taking away your passport; prosecuting, convicting, imprisoning you…and if you’re there already – even preventing you from coming back. You have declared your allegiance. You are an enemy of the UK – and you should expect to be treated as such.blogs.spectator.co.uk
@AJStream.d UK govt has to take a proactive measure to counter d threat from ISIL, no doubt innocent people could be taken up. Its emergencyJeusthin Uzodinma
@AJStream there is no quick fix on tackling radicalisation. De-radicalisation initiatives are needed to keep the UK safe at homeBert Jones
