Welcome to the land of the brave and the free
I've just finished reading an unbelievably shocking account of the detainment of a young Icelandic woman two days ago while traveling to New York with her girlfriends to do a little Christmas shopping. The blog post in which she describes her ordeal has the Icelandic nation abuzz and has featured prominently in all the main media today. It's caused such a sensation that the US Embassy has sent out a press release inviting people to leave accounts of mistreatment by US immigration officers on their website [although after my previous dealings with the Embassy, I seriously doubt this will make a difference for anyone].
The crime that warranted such serious mistreatment was that back in 1995 the woman, Erla Ósk, remained in the US for three weeks longer than the time she was allocated as a tourist. Note bene, she had been back in the US since then, without any problems whatsoever. This time, though, she arrived at immigration and the officer saw something that he needed to 'investigate further'. I can just envision the mug of the officer in question - if he's anything like the grim and creepy guy we had check us into the States in September.
She was escorted to Homeland Security where she was made to sit in a cold fluorescent-lit office for five hours and was told that, because of her offense twelve years ago, she was being denied admission to the US and would be sent back home on the next plane. She was made to give an extensive report, her fingerprints were taken and she was asked questions that had no relevance to the matter at hand. She was not permitted a telephone call to let anyone know where she was or what was going on, and while she was initially told she could call the Icelandic Consulate in New York, in the end she was refused this right. While in that office she was searched, as was all her baggage.
While waiting she was told that she'd soon be moved to a room where there was a bed, where she'd be given something to eat and where she could take a shower. Yet before reaching this Shangri-La she was taken to another office, the same as the first one, where she was made to sit for another five hours. By that time she'd been awake for 24 hours and was exhausted. All her belongings were taken from her, although she managed to send one text message to worried relatives when she went to the bathroom. After sitting in a chair for five hours she was told that they were waiting for guards to arrive, who would take her to the room with the bed. That 'room' turned out to be a cell with a metal bunk and a single toilet. By this time she was famished and drained. A short while later she was removed from the cell, two armed guards put her up against a wall, a chain was put around her waist and she was handcuffed to it. Next her feet were chained and she was made to walk through the terminal like a heinous criminal in full view of everyone.
Next came a car ride lasting almost an hour, without her knowing where she was being taken. It turned out to be a prison in New Jersey. She was brought in in chains, and another interrogation commenced. She was asked questions like, "When was your last period?" "What are your beliefs?" "Have you ever tried to commit suicide?" She was also subjected to a medical examination.
Worn out, tired and cold, she was finally given something to eat, 14 hours after landing at JFK. She got porridge and bread. All communication with her was harsh and hostile. She was frightened and had never felt so wretched. She asked to make a phone call, and this time the answer was positive. However, her relief was short-lived; the phone was only set up for collect calls, and they could only be made within the US. The prison guard had her cell phone in his hand, but refused to let her use it. She spent the next nine hours in a small, dirty cell, which had only a thin metal sheet sticking out of the wall, a sink and a toilet.
She felt immense relief when she was told she was to be taken back to the airport; that is, until she was again handcuffed and chained. She begged to at least be spared the chains on her feet, but her plea was ignored. When she arrived at the airport, another guard took over and saw pity on her, removing the foot chains. Nonetheless, she was taken handcuffed through the terminal escorted by armed guards who took her to the Icelandair waiting lounge, and her handcuffs were not removed until she was at the landing bridge.
Reading this woman's account is absolutely gut-wrenching. Granted, she'd violated the rules back in 1995, but any discerning person must see that this kind of treatment is completely out of proportion to the violation. In her words, "... it was obvious that these people were dying to show their power. Little kings with a god complex."
I ask: if a woman whose offense is no more serious than this, what are people detained at prisons like the one in Guantanamo Bay made to endure? Innocent or not? For years on end? -It hardly bears thinking about. On the upside, Erla Ósk has had a massive outpouring of support - as this is written there are 409 comments on her post, and counting.
WE'RE IN FOR ANOTHER TEMPEST
We're due to receive one low-pressure area after another in the next few days. The barbecue has duly been brought inside - not taking any chances of it flying through the window. Right now heavy winds and precipitation, temps 5°C [43F]. The sun came up at 11.10 and set at 3.32 pm.
The crime that warranted such serious mistreatment was that back in 1995 the woman, Erla Ósk, remained in the US for three weeks longer than the time she was allocated as a tourist. Note bene, she had been back in the US since then, without any problems whatsoever. This time, though, she arrived at immigration and the officer saw something that he needed to 'investigate further'. I can just envision the mug of the officer in question - if he's anything like the grim and creepy guy we had check us into the States in September.
She was escorted to Homeland Security where she was made to sit in a cold fluorescent-lit office for five hours and was told that, because of her offense twelve years ago, she was being denied admission to the US and would be sent back home on the next plane. She was made to give an extensive report, her fingerprints were taken and she was asked questions that had no relevance to the matter at hand. She was not permitted a telephone call to let anyone know where she was or what was going on, and while she was initially told she could call the Icelandic Consulate in New York, in the end she was refused this right. While in that office she was searched, as was all her baggage.
While waiting she was told that she'd soon be moved to a room where there was a bed, where she'd be given something to eat and where she could take a shower. Yet before reaching this Shangri-La she was taken to another office, the same as the first one, where she was made to sit for another five hours. By that time she'd been awake for 24 hours and was exhausted. All her belongings were taken from her, although she managed to send one text message to worried relatives when she went to the bathroom. After sitting in a chair for five hours she was told that they were waiting for guards to arrive, who would take her to the room with the bed. That 'room' turned out to be a cell with a metal bunk and a single toilet. By this time she was famished and drained. A short while later she was removed from the cell, two armed guards put her up against a wall, a chain was put around her waist and she was handcuffed to it. Next her feet were chained and she was made to walk through the terminal like a heinous criminal in full view of everyone.
Next came a car ride lasting almost an hour, without her knowing where she was being taken. It turned out to be a prison in New Jersey. She was brought in in chains, and another interrogation commenced. She was asked questions like, "When was your last period?" "What are your beliefs?" "Have you ever tried to commit suicide?" She was also subjected to a medical examination.
Worn out, tired and cold, she was finally given something to eat, 14 hours after landing at JFK. She got porridge and bread. All communication with her was harsh and hostile. She was frightened and had never felt so wretched. She asked to make a phone call, and this time the answer was positive. However, her relief was short-lived; the phone was only set up for collect calls, and they could only be made within the US. The prison guard had her cell phone in his hand, but refused to let her use it. She spent the next nine hours in a small, dirty cell, which had only a thin metal sheet sticking out of the wall, a sink and a toilet.
She felt immense relief when she was told she was to be taken back to the airport; that is, until she was again handcuffed and chained. She begged to at least be spared the chains on her feet, but her plea was ignored. When she arrived at the airport, another guard took over and saw pity on her, removing the foot chains. Nonetheless, she was taken handcuffed through the terminal escorted by armed guards who took her to the Icelandair waiting lounge, and her handcuffs were not removed until she was at the landing bridge.
Reading this woman's account is absolutely gut-wrenching. Granted, she'd violated the rules back in 1995, but any discerning person must see that this kind of treatment is completely out of proportion to the violation. In her words, "... it was obvious that these people were dying to show their power. Little kings with a god complex."
I ask: if a woman whose offense is no more serious than this, what are people detained at prisons like the one in Guantanamo Bay made to endure? Innocent or not? For years on end? -It hardly bears thinking about. On the upside, Erla Ósk has had a massive outpouring of support - as this is written there are 409 comments on her post, and counting.
WE'RE IN FOR ANOTHER TEMPEST
We're due to receive one low-pressure area after another in the next few days. The barbecue has duly been brought inside - not taking any chances of it flying through the window. Right now heavy winds and precipitation, temps 5°C [43F]. The sun came up at 11.10 and set at 3.32 pm.
Labels: Rants, Reflections
posted by Alda at 9:24 PM
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