CNN reported here that a group of Iraqis gathered outside the Information Ministry to demonstrate because their loved ones hadn’t returned hom. It seemes that Sadaam freed all domestic political prisoners last week, and these were relatives of people taken as political prisoners who did not show up after everyone was released. I know hope dies hard in the human breast, but if your brother/father/son etc… was taken 12 years ago and had not been heard from since, wouldn’t it be pretty obvious that they’re dead? I have spoken to Iraqi and Iranian immigrants in this country about conditions back home, and they all seemed very aware that many people taken for political “crimes” were executed. Do these people have any real hope that their loved ones may still be alive, or was this demonstration actually a condemnation of the current regieme, even though protestors seemed to be being very careful not to criticize Sadaam himself.
never underestimate the power of self-denile. And a FEW of them could be alive.
If I were living under a repressive dictatorship which didn’t allow dissent, and I happened upon a legitimate reason to disagree publicly with the regime, I’d sure as heck take it. Any opportunity to make my voice heard.
DDG, hush. Don’t you know that your mailman might be listening in?
I saw the story about the prison being emptied of its prisoners. Some of the men were trampled to death; rather ironic that they died right after gaining their freedom. The story went on to relate that the prison was so over-crowded, that many men were executed simply to free up space.