Free the Captives: Witness Against Illegal Detention and Torture

According to Stars & Stripes, a daily newspaper serving the U.S. military and DOD civilians, one hundred detainees were freed today from U.S. military prisons in Iraq. Other reports mention the looming deadline on reporter Jill Carroll, whose captors have demanded the release of all Iraqi women in U.S. custody. No new reports surfaced about the Christian Peacemakers held captive in Iraq for thirteen weeks, including Tom Fox, Harmeet Sooden, Jim Loney, and Norman Kember.

Iraq CPT delegate Michele Naar wrote in today giving thanks for the support they have received from an Iraqi group call Independent Activates, a Society to
Defend Human Rights:

On Friday February 17, 2006, they held their third vigil at Firdos Square. In addition to their leaflet, they passed out our last press release regarding the kidnapping and our press release denouncing the controversial cartoon depictions of the prophet Mohammed in European papers. For security reasons and our safety, they suggested we not join them. It was hard for us not to go, but we didn't want to risk putting them in danger.

Later that afternoon, they returned to our apartment with a full report and pictures of the vigil. They said many people gave them signs of support after reading their leaflets. One picture showed backed up traffic as drivers waited to receive the literature and to read their banners printed in English and Arabic. Many media representatives came including BBC, AP, Global TV, Reuters, and local reporters.

The Activates reassured us that we have many friends in Iraq. This news came during one of our many moments of doubt about our work here. They again expressed their willingness to trade their lives for our colleagues. What greater love is there than the willingness to lay down one's life for another? With angelic faces and words to nourish the soul, they appeared in our lives like messengers from God.

Every day we pray for messengers to bring some tidings about our friend Tom Fox and his colleagues. We hope that more communities – and that we ourselves may harken to this prophetic witness for peace. The Law and Prophets, and the Good News are fulfilled by community practice.