Student Publishes “Prisoners In Paradise” Book
16-year-old student Hasna Turner recently published a book titled “Uyghurs: Prisoners in Paradise,” which she began researching almost a year ago as part of her school project.
Ms Turner started this project at the age of 15 as part of the Somersfield Academy Middle Years Program.
Ms Turner told Bernews: “I have gotten to know the Bermuda Uyghurs and felt compelled to write about their story so Bermudians will have a better idea of where they come from, how they were inadvertently dragnetted and incarcerated by the US “War on Terror,” and eventually were offered the option to become part of the multi-cultural Bermuda community.
“The book recounts the struggles of the Uyghur population in general and the events leading to the captivity and detention experienced by the four Guantanamo Bay captives subsequently exonerated and released to Bermuda where they continue to remain in citizenship limbo.”
After presenting her project at Somersfield Academy with the Uyghurs in February, Ms Turner went on to complete further revisions and edits through a U.S. based editor and Jesuit Priest, Father Luke Hansen, who met the Uyghurs in Guantanamo Bay and thus took an interest in Ms Turner’s story.
This photo was taken at the initial presentation of Ms Turner’s project at Somersfield Academy, showing Ms Turner with lawyer Richard Horseman, and Ablikim Turahun, Abdulla Abdulqadir, Salahidin Andulalahad and Khalil Mamut
The four men, Abdullah Adhulqadir, Khalil Mamut, Ablikim Turahun and Salahidin Abdulahad, were brought to Bermuda from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, in 2009.
Ms Turner told Bernews that all proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards legal costs to help the Uyghurs, whose current position means they are unable to leave the island.
The book can now be purchased by the general public in electronic and print formats through the publishing website Lulu.com. It is available in eBook format for $9.99 and hard copy for $39.99.
Great news.
At least someone has a concern for this dilema
Quite appalling that OBA pushed for status of PRs & guest workers but not the Uyghurs when there is no legal obligation to give PRs & guest workers status. The Uyghurs are refugees and under the 1951 Refugee Convention it was agreed that countries where refugees reside would ensure that the rights of refugees are respected and protected including the right to status. It’s international law to give the Uyghurs status regardless how they arrived. On the other hand there is no international law that states status must be given to PRs & guest workers. Hopefully PLP brings this to UKs attention and gets these men some papers since they were the ones to bring them in in the first place and show the OBA what real human rights looks like.
You mean the Party that is about to discriminate against gay people are goign to show us what ‘real human’ rights looks like?
* Hopefully PLP brings this to UKs attention and gets these men some papers since they were the ones to bring them in in the first place and show the OBA what real human rights looks like.*
You haven’t even got the slightest clue , do you ?
What absolute nonsense. I hope you’re not a lawyer charging people for this drivel.
Oh no…looks like the loony liberal leftists have awakened…
I look forward to reading her account. “Through the eyes of babes” – I look forward to a lucidity and fairness only a young person possesses. Kudos to the effort!
Congratulations on the book!!!
May these men find their way home, one day, as I’m sure they have family!!❤
Fabulous work Hasna.
The entire Bermuda community should also look to the work of Hasna’s mother, Maha, who is working hard overseas to ensure educational opportunities for the less fortunate.
After a great many years at Somersfield Academy it would be the accounts of Mrs. Turner’s work overseas that filled me with awe and humility as we both ended our time there in June.
Good luck to both Hasna and Maha – you are leaving lasting legacies.
Thank you, Mark, for your thoughtful remarks! What is the point of living without helping our fellow humans!!
Life will be tasteless!
Thanks again, Mark! Good luck to you and I am sure you will bring a lot of joy to your future student, they are lucky indeed! Peace, my friend!
It is time that we put aside our bias attitudes and grant these men and their families full citizenship.
Now that the P.L.P is back in Power of Government affairs, I think it is only right that this issue come about, and finish what Dr. Ewart Brown had started, and give these men and their families a resolve, by making them full Bermudians with status and all of it’s benefits.
Congratulations on the book and to their Attorney Mr. Horseman who have really champion their case.
“It is time that we put aside our bias attitudes and grant these men and their families full citizenship”
That statement applies to PRCs with a legal right to status, Correct?
Ever wondered why what Dr B started hasn’t been finished (or resolved) ?
Another clueless one .
Awesome…will purchase
“what can Brown do for you today?”
(not so old tv advert line).
I am very proud of Hasna, my daughter! She worked very hard and dedicated more than a year on this life changing project! God willing, this book can make a difference and change lives! We love you, Hasna!