Aafia Siddiqui’s case is ‘a stark reminder of issues plaguing US prison system’, admits Attorney
Aafia Siddiqui
FORT WORTH, TEXAS: (Web Desk): Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist currently serving an 86-year sentence in the US, has accused prison officials of sexual abuse, torture, denial of medical care, and religious discrimination.

Attorney Sakhia commented on the issue, saying: “Dr Siddiqui has alleged unimaginable suffering for years, and her plight is a stark reminder of the systemic issues plaguing our prison system.”

Kari said, “This lawsuit seeks justice not only for Dr Siddiqui but for countless other women who have suffered in silence.”

Emphasising the international implications of the case, Smith said: “It is crucial for the United States to uphold its commitment to human rights, particularly when the world is watching.”

Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is serving the sentence at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, filed the 61-page comprehensive federal lawsuit against the US government, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, and several prison officials.

In the lawsuit filed nearly two months ago in the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Aafia accuses prison staff of severe violations of her constitutional and human rights.

The complaint provides a harrowing account of Siddiqui’s alleged mistreatment.

In the complaint, filed by attorneys Naim Haroon Sakhia, Maria Kari, and Clive Stafford Smith, Siddiqui has endured repeated sexual assaults and physical abuse by prison staff and fellow inmates since her incarceration at FMC Carswell in 2010.

The complaint claims that these acts were not isolated incidents but part of a systemic culture of abuse within the facility.

The nation’s dauther alleges that male guards, including officers named in the complaint, subjected her to rape and sexual harassment, often under the guise of routine checks.

She describes an incident where Siddiqui was allegedly doused with a burning, acidic liquid by prison staff in retaliation for reporting her abuse.

The complaint also focuses on Siddiqui’s inability to practice her religion freely. As a devout Muslim, Siddiqui has repeatedly requested access to an Imam for spiritual guidance.

Siddiqui’s mentions multiple instances where her religious rights were violated, including male officers watching her during private moments, forcing her to strip, and confiscating religious items.

The lawsuit highlights the inadequate medical treatment Siddiqui has received, despite her documented PTSD and physical ailments stemming from alleged torture in US.custody prior to her trial.

Reports from human rights bodies and previous lawsuits reveal widespread sexual abuse of female inmates.

In the complaint, Aafia names several high-ranking officials, including Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters and FMC Carswell Warden Michael Smith, alleging their deliberate indifference to Siddiqui’s suffering and failure to protect her.

Demanding a jury trial, seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, Aafia requests a third-party investigation into the abuses, immediate action to protect Siddiqui, and improved access to religious counsel and independent medical care.

The lawsuit is a critical step in holding US authorities accountable for her alleged mistreatment.