Clemency Plea for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui: Equal Mercy Deserves Equal Application

Clemency Plea for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui: A Case for Equal Mercy and Justice based on the adage that what is good for the gander is good for the goose.

To the Honourable President of the United States,

greetings

We respectfully submit this appeal for clemency and pardon for Dr. Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who has endured nearly 16 years of incarceration under harsh and inhumane conditions in the U.S. federal prisons. As a nation committed to fairness, justice, and compassion, we urge you to extend the same principles of mercy to Dr. Siddiqui, as recently demonstrated in the repatriation of two Malaysian prisoners convicted of war crimes, as reported by The New York Times on December 18, 2024.

Dr. Siddiqui, sentenced in 2010 to 86 years of imprisonment, has suffered extraordinary physical and psychological hardships during her time in custody. She has been subjected to prolonged isolation, mistreatment, and deprivation, leaving her in a fragile state of health. Her plight is not only a matter of justice but also of human dignity, calling for urgent humanitarian intervention.

The precedent set by the U.S. government in repatriating Malaysian prisoners from Guantánamo Bay, who pleaded guilty to war crimes, highlights America’s capacity for measured compassion and the willingness to prioritize humanitarian considerations. The release of these individuals, despite their convictions for grave offenses, was a testament to the U.S. commitment to addressing suffering and fostering reconciliation.

Dr. Siddiqui’s situation presents a parallel opportunity to act with the same principles of equity and humanity. If war crimes prisoners can be repatriated after demonstrating accountability, surely Dr. Siddiqui—whose case is laden with legal and human rights concerns—deserves similar clemency. As the adage goes, “What is good for the gander is good for the goose.” Equal application of mercy is a cornerstone of justice, and pardoning Dr. Siddiqui on compassionate grounds would exemplify this principle.

Repatriating Dr. Siddiqui to Pakistan would not only provide relief to a woman who has endured immense suffering but also promote goodwill and strengthen international relations with Pakistan. Her continued incarceration serves neither the cause of justice nor the broader interests of peace and humanity.

Granting clemency to Dr. Siddiqui would be a profound act of fairness and moral leadership, underscoring the United States’ dedication to upholding justice with compassion. It would echo the spirit of reconciliation demonstrated in the repatriation of the Malaysian prisoners, affirming America’s standing as a nation that values both accountability and humanity.

We urge you to act with mercy and justice by pardoning Dr. Siddiqui and enabling her repatriation. Her release would be a powerful gesture of compassion and equality, resonating globally as an example of principled leadership.

Respectfully submitted,

Syed Nayyar Uddin Ahmad
+92 321 9402157
Lahore – Pakistan.