URGENT ACTION NEEDED Syed Hashmi is a Muslim American citizen being held in a federal jail on two counts of providing material support—and two counts of making a contribution of goods or services—to Al Qaida. The conditions of Mr. Hashmi’s detention are draconian. He is in solitary confinement and subject to a regime of severe deprivation. Under the SAM imposed by the Attorney General, Hashmi must be held in solitary confinement and may not communicate with anyone inside the prison other than prison officials. Family visits were not granted for many months and are now limited to one person every other week for one and a half hours, and cannot involve physical contact. Mr. Hashmi may write only one letter (of no more than three pieces of paper) per week to one family member. He may not communicate, either directly or through his attorneys, with the news media. He may read only designated portions of newspapers - and not until thirty days after their publication - and his access to other reading material is restricted. He may not listen to or watch news-oriented radio stations and television channels. He may not participate in group prayer. He is subject to 24-hour electronic monitoring and 23-hour lockdown, has no access to fresh air, and must take his one-hour of daily recreation - when it is given - inside a cage. While the Attorney General claims that these measures are necessary because "there is substantial risk that [Hashmi's] communications or contacts with persons could result in death or serious bodily injury to persons," he was held in a British jail with other prisoners for eleven months without incident. Nor have there been any incidents while Mr. Hashmi has been held in MCC prison.
The SAM threatens Mr. Hashmi’s mental state and ability to testify on his own behalf. Moreover, it violates the spirit of the U.S. Constitution which provides for due process, prevents cruel and unusual punishment, and protects the right of speech and association. The government’s ability to impose these Special Administrative Measures, established in 1996, was dramatically expanded in October 2001. Now imposed for a year, the standard for when they can be imposed and how they are renewed has been significantly relaxed.
We are calling on all concerned people to ask the Attorney General not to renew the SAM against Syed Hashmi. The SAM against Mr. Hashmi expires after one year and must be renewed in late October. We are asking that you contact Attorney General Michael Mukasey and ask him to lift the SAM on Mr. Hashmi. You can email the Attorney General using the following form(click the link below):
http://www.educatorsforcivilliberties.org/liftthesam.html
