(WASHINGTON, D.C., 5/31/23) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today called on the U.S. Department of State to take immediate action to secure the release of Pakistani-Americans who have been detained in Pakistan after engaging in peaceful protests, including Sabohi Inam, a Nevada mother and retiree who has been a United States citizen for over 30 years.
After retiring in Pakistan to be close to her family and pursue gardening and environmental projects, Mrs. Inam peacefully attended recent protests along with other women. However, she was reportedly arrested following a protest, taken from her home in Lahore, and is currently being detained without access to an attorney.
CAIR emphasizes the need for the U.S. government to protect its own citizens and for the government of Pakistan to respect the rights and freedoms of peaceful protestors.
In a statement, CAIR Director of Government Affairs Department Robert S. McCaw said:
“We call upon the State Department to intervene and demand the immediate release of any Pakistani-Americans unjustly detained in recent Pakistan after engaging in peaceful protests, including American citizen and Nevada resident Saba Nelson.
“It is our duty as a nation to ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens abroad. The reported imprisonment of Pakistani-American protestors for engaging in peaceful free speech – activities protected in the U.S. and Pakistan – without access to legal counsel is a violation of their basic rights.”
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, [email protected]; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, [email protected]; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, [email protected], CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, [email protected]