A New York-based Pakistani civil rights organisation has designated January 19 as "Free Dr Aafia Siddiqui Day", and announced to hold a demonstration outside a federal court where the US-trained neuroscientist goes on trial. The Pakistan-USA Freedom Forum (PAKUSAFF) called on human rights activists to join the demonstration in large numbers to demand the release of Aafia, 37, who is charged with shooting at her US interrogators in Afghanistan.
It also called on people all over the world to stage rallies to press for justice in her case. "We will call for justice from United States Government and ask to release her as there is no basis to keep her in detention," the Forum said in a statement signed by Dr Mohammed Shafique, its president, and Shahid Comrade, the Secretary General. The statement said that Dr Sidiqui was a "victim of torture and abuse, and has been kept in jail on false accusations and allegations."