An Interview with Rabiye Kurnaz

22-year old Murat Kurnaz, a Turkish national, was born and brought up in Bremen, Germany. He spent most of his adolesence like any other German youth, attending local schools, with German friends, enjoying German music and dating German girls. As his religious convictions deepened and his lifestyle changed, Murat decided to travel to Pakistan in 2001 to "see and experience the Qur'an". Like many foreign students, Murat was captured, in spite of the fact he never entered Afghanistan, nor trained or fought with the Taliban. Since then he has been languishing in Guantanamo - forgotten by the Turkish government who long refused to assist the family and the German government who claim that they are powerless to defend him since he is not a citizen, in spite of being a life-long resident. Cageprisoners.com spoke to his distraught mother, Rabiye, in Bremen about the loss of her son in this brief interview.

CAGEPRISONERS: What took Murat to Pakistan in 2001?

RABIYE KURNAZ: He said he wanted to learn about his religion from its source.

CP: Could you describe your reaction to the news that Murat was being held in Guantanamo?

RK: I was shocked that my beloved son had been taken to such an awful place. But, in spite of that, I was relieved that at least I had received some sign of life from him.

CP: What do you know about the circumstances of your son's arrest?

RK: From what I've heard, the living conditions there are inhumane and humiliating.

CP: What has been the effect of this ordeal on you and the rest of your family? How do you manage to cope day to day with his absence?

RK: Every family member tries to cope in his own way with this experience, but everyone in the family is noticeably tense. There is no cheerfulness. There is a tense atmosphere.

CP: Your son was born and brought up in Germany, but is a Turkish national -has either government taken any responsibility for him?

RK: As he's not a German national, Germany couldn't or didn't want to take responsibility, and Turkey considers him German-Turkish.

CP: What has been the response to Murat's case in the German Media?

RK: As I already specified, they merely say "We are sorry, he's not a German." although he was born in Germany.

CP: Have you found any support from the Muslim community in Germany?

RK: No help whatsoever.

CP: Tell us about Murat, his qualities, his personality - what was he like as a son?

RK: Murat was a very helpful, credulous and cordial person, who always treated everyone with respect. He loved animals.

CP: When did you last receive any communication from Murat? What did he say? Do you have any indication that he has received any of your letters?

RK: So far, I've received only one letter and two cards from him. The last post card arrived in May 2002. He didn't mention if he received my letters.

CP: What was your reaction to the horrific picture that is emerging of the manner in which the US treats its prisoners, from the accounts released British detainees, and the appalling images that surfaced from Iraq?

RK: I try to avoid pictures and news about this topic. But I nevertheless hear about these things from my circle of acquaintances and I live with the hope that my son does not have to experience these things.

CP: Have you had any significant dreams about your son since his imprisonment?

RK: I have had nightmares that I cannot describe since then.

CP: What would you say to him if you could speak to him now?

RK: I would probably break down and cry, and I would ask: "What can I do to relieve you of your suffering?"

CP: Earlier this year, you travelled with the Guantanamo Human Rights Commission to Washington to protest your son's detention. Could you tell us about your trip? What was the response of the American public and the US officials?

RK: The impression I got was that the public do not hold the same opinion as the politicians of the Government.

CP: Finally, is there any message you want to give our visitors to the site?

RK: I wish every human being equal rights.

CP: Mrs. Kurnaz, thank you for speaking to us.