Take Actions and Stand Up For Justice

Since October 2008, harassment, threats and physical violence were orchestrated and directed at Shifa inside the prison. He received head injuries from the assault and his request for differential diagnosis for medical treatment was ignored by prison medical staff. Since the physical violence on Shifa, his health has significantly deteriorated and he lives in constant fear for his life inside prison. In addition, in March 2009, Shifa was transferred to an overheated and extremely hot cell without following routine procedures for cell rotation. Within 24 hours of staying in that cell, he had an asthma attack, suffocated with rapid heart palpitation, and developed additional severe health problems. He felt like he was being slowly “baked” in this cell. His repeated requests for a different cell were ignored by prison officials. He was left to die in this cell for four (4) days.

Prolonged solitary confinement, particularly when Shifa has yet to be convicted of even the most minor offense, is torture and cruel and unusual punishment and a violation of his 8^th Amendment Constitutional right. The denial of medical treatment is a violation of a basic human right. The abuses by the prison, harassment, and threats from both inmates and prison staff continue to this day, and his lawyers are working to improve the harsh conditions of his solitary confinement.

The Free Shifa Committee demands an investigation into the physical assault, immediate medical treatment, and improvement of the inhumane conditions of Shifa’s confinement. We need your assistance in putting the pressure on the authorities to ensure the brutal conditions of confinement are alleviated from Shifa, so he can stand trial in good physical and mental health.

Take the following steps to support The Free Shifa Campaign:

1) Write letters to officials. We encourage everyone to personalize the letters.

Sample letters to the Presiding Judge

Sample letters to the Attorney General

Sample letters to the Warden

2) Call the Warden, Loren Grayer, and inquire about Shifa’s health and situation at 404-635-5100

3) Print The Free Shifa flyers and distribute to your community requesting to CALL, FAX and WRITE letters to officials mentioned in the flyers.

Free Shifa Flyer     

4) Sign the petitions and send the links to friends and family to sign

Petition from the US    Petition from Bangladesh

5) Organize town hall meetings and share with your community what you have learned about Shifa and invite The Free Shifa Committee to share more information.

6) Donate to The Free Shifa Campaign

7) Stay informed and join the mailing list

8) Attend all court hearings