Free the Captives: Witness Against Illegal Detention and Torture

A letter from Christian Peacemaker Teams today gave some details about their colleagues recently rescued from almost seventeen weeks of captivity, including Harmeet Sooden, Jim Loney, and Norman Kember:

The team found the men to be well, alert and in good spirits. The men asked many questions about their families, friends and colleagues at home and in Iraq. They have also begun to tell some parts of the story of their captivity--of efforts to stay physically fit, of periodic separations and reunions, of receiving a Christmas cake.

The news of Tom Fox's death--which they learned about only after their release--has been a particular burden. They said that Tom had taken leadership in encouraging the group right from the beginning of their captivity. They have not yet shared with CPT details about their captors or the events which led to their freedom.

In a statement released to the Baghdad media on 24 March, they wrote, "We are deeply grateful to all those who worked and prayed for our release. We have no words to describe our feelings of great joy at being free again. Our heads are swirling and when we are ready we will talk to the media."

CPT's co-directors Carol Rose and Doug Prithcard added another expression of gratitude, thanking "religious leaders and soldiers, teammates and government officials, partner organizations, friends, family, children, women and men all over the world."

But they also announced a new plea:

In order not to cause Tom Fox's family further pain, and for the sake of accuracy, CPT urges that the media and everyone concerned refrain from repeating the rumour that Tom Fox was tortured. Two CPTers, Rev. Carol Rose and Rich Meyer, viewed Tom's body and did not see signs of torture. We also have reports from two additional independent sources who examined the body more thoroughly. They also did not find evidence of torture. Until the final
autopsy report is released, we ask everyone to withhold their judgment.

Canadian and British news sources posted further details about the ordeal, looking forward to the imminent return of Jim, Norman, and Harmeet to their homes.