5 Human Shields Deported From Iraq
Thursday 13th March, 2003

The deportation of 5 key organisers (including myself) by Iraqi officials on March 7th & 8th has called into question the autonomy of the Human Shields in Iraq. Particularly bothersome was the deportation of Gordan Sloan who did more to survey prospective Human Shield sites and insure the civilian importance of these sites while maintaining individual control over deployment to those sites.

Having said this, those Human Shields that remain in Iraq, entered Iraq with the freedom to deploy to undeniably critical humanitarian sites which were absolutely of their own choosing. They remain at these sites to this day. Their autonomy in this action cannot be questioned, the question now is will future Human Shields in Iraq have the same freedom? I simply do not know the answer to this question at this point, this is why I have not recommended new Human Shields enter Iraq.

Upon great reflection however, considering the big picture, I have decided to modify my statement. Specifically, I will now say that should more Human Shields wish to enter Iraq they will find assistance with TJP Action in securing Iraqi entry visas, that relies of course on Iraqi cooperation. But this must be made clear, TJP Action cannot provide any assurance that freedom of choice with regard to deployment to sites will exist.

Those that enter now will be under the direct charge of Dr. Al Hashimi of the NGO Friendship Solidarity and Peace, which is for all intents and purposes an extension of the Iraqi Government. Although I have felt strongly from the beginning that autonomy was critical to the integrity of the action, I do acknowledge that the need to stop this war is of grave importance to the future of our world and therefore this takes precedence.

We must stop this war and a continuing tide of Human Shields will have a great impact on achieving that goal, we are undeniably a factor in the ongoing postponement of this criminal war. If this war is averted it will be nothing short of a miracle and we can all be proud of our part in that. So those who are very clear of the new terms and completely comfortable with their mortality may contemplate whether Iraq is still the place for them to be at this time.

I have personally been deeply enriched by my experiences with the Iraqi people. I have felt strongly from beginning to end that I was in the best place for me all the time that I was in Iraq. I would never have left voluntarily, especially while leaving others behind. But the truth is that perils exist from all sides and I have in fact been forced to leave. Therefore I am unable to enthusiastically encourage others to do what I can no longer do for myself.

Part of my motivation for changing my stance now in not actively discouraging more shields from entering Iraq is my great concern for those shields that remain, they want more shields to join them and I understand why, there is strength in numbers. So therefore I will help them in this by assisting those that wish to enter Iraq in every way that I can. But this is only morally defensible if I first do my best to completely inform those that go from this point on of the situation they will be entering and the perils they face. That is exactly what I shall do.

Sincerely,
Ken Nichols O'keefe