APRIL 29, 2014
SECONDARY STUDENT MAGAZINE
I have no one to stand by
I look into the eyes of my torturers.
!
Where’s my broken heart
More incoherent shouting.
!
To misery of unfortunate
!
A wave of pain.
!
Where is that shoulder to cling?
!
A realization.
I have no hope to look for
“I surrender.”
!
Yusuf Juma, a poet, was imprisoned for taking part in protest demonstrations against the reelection of Uzbek president Islam Karimov in 2007. He was tortured savagely for four long years
until he finally signed a plea for forgiveness to the president and was set free. Yusuf Juma
managed to flee to America with his family, however the Human’s Rights abuses in the prison in
which he was held still continue.
This prison is located in a desolate area of Uzbekistan, unreachable by any form of transportation
except for railway; this means that lawyers and family have difficulty visiting. He was not the only
one to suffer in this hellhole. It has yet to shut down and many torture methods like sexual
assault, electric shock and isolation occurs. Disrespected the police? Prison. Worship the wrong
religion? Prison. Demand explanations? Prison.
Imprisonment due to shameless persecution or defaming the government is common cases. Men
have been stabbed and boiled to death in this prison. Many innumerable, untold cruelties have
been committed in Jaslyk that have not been brought to light. Progression as human beings is
difficult when we treat each other as less than equals. Even writing this article in the wrong place
at the wrong time puts my life in danger.
Do we stay at this point forever or do we go forth and advance towards a brighter future of peace
without prejudice and persecution? We must shed a harsh light on places like Jaslyk and bring
them to justice.
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