The Iraqi MP who exposed prisoner abuse, including torture, rape and murder was refused entry into Britain on 10 January 2007. His visa application was turned down by British embassy in Jordan. Embassy officials declined to give their reasons to the British parliamentarians who had invited him.
Mohammed Al Deeni, an independent member of the parliament frequently described by British ministers as the most democratic in Iraqi history, wanted to address a meeting in the House of Commons as part of his ongoing efforts to highlight human rights abuses in Iraqi jails. He has in the past paid for his stand when 10 cousins were murdered in cold blood after being seized from a minibus following a meeting with him.
What sort of democracy are we that allows people such as Al Deen to fight for what we say we stand for, but on the other hand refuse him entry to Britain when what he has exposed in that fight embarrasses us?
He has paid dearly and we undervalue his sacrifice.
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