Mohamedou Ould Slahi
Mohamedou Ould Slahi
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Full Name and Common Aliases
Mohamedou Ould Slahi is the full name of this Mauritanian writer and human rights activist. He is commonly known by his alias, Salahi.
Birth and Death Dates
Born in 1964, Mohamedou Ould Slahi's exact birthdate remains unknown due to a lack of documentation at the time. Unfortunately, there is no record of his passing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Mohamedou Ould Slahi holds Mauritanian nationality. He has worked as a writer, journalist, and human rights activist throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Mauritania, Mohamedou experienced firsthand the complexities of life under an authoritarian government. His family's social standing and his own experiences would later influence his writing and activism. Slahi studied law at the University of Nouakchott before moving to Europe for further education.
Major Accomplishments
As a human rights activist, Mohamedou Ould Slahi has been involved in various campaigns to bring attention to issues like torture, rendition, and indefinite detention. His experiences with these practices have made him an outspoken advocate for transparency and accountability within governments.
Notable Works or Actions
Mohamedou's most notable work is his memoir, _Guantánamo Diary_. The book chronicles his time in detention at the Guantánamo Bay detention center from 2002 to 2016. It offers a unique perspective on life as a detainee and sheds light on human rights abuses within the facility.
Impact and Legacy
Mohamedou Ould Slahi's writing has had significant impact, raising awareness about the struggles faced by detainees and the importance of upholding human rights standards in times of conflict or uncertainty. His commitment to transparency and justice has inspired others to take action against similar injustices.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Mohamedou Ould Slahi's quotes are often cited due to their poignant reflections on hope, freedom, and the importance of standing up for what is right in the face of adversity. His experiences serve as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the need for continued advocacy on behalf of marginalized communities.
His memoir, _Guantánamo Diary_, has also been widely praised for its raw and unflinching portrayal of life as a detainee at Guantánamo Bay. The book's impact extends beyond the literary world, serving as an important historical record of human rights abuses and their lasting effects on individuals and society.
In conclusion, Mohamedou Ould Slahi is a testament to the power of courage and conviction in the face of overwhelming odds. His unwavering commitment to exposing injustices and advocating for human rights has left an indelible mark on the world.
Quotes by Mohamedou Ould Slahi
Many nights I wake up not able to breathe. I think I'm in Guantanamo Bay. I'm crying and shouting and making it very hard for the people that are with me in the room to sleep.
Everyone who tortured me and kidnapped me, who imprisoned me, I have forgiven everyone. And I wish them, from the bottom of my heart, the best of lives.
Everything a detainee says is classified. Detainees cannot talk to you. They cannot talk to anyone. They cannot challenge, in a meaningful way, their detention. All that is left is for people who survived Guantanamo Bay to speak for people who are left behind, and speak for those who are in so many Guantanamos, plural, in my part of the world.
I'm sure if there is a debate, Guantanamo Bay must be closed. And it should be closed, because it does not belong in a democracy.
Gitmo is everywhere in the world. We need to raise awareness of illegal prisons in Middle East, Asia, and Africa. This needs to be brought to the attention of the U.N. This needs to stop.
I believe the U.S. government owes it to the American people to tell them the truth about what is happening in Guantanamo.
In the beginning, the U.S. government was happy with its secret operations, since it thought it had managed to gather all the evils of the world in GTMO, and had circumvented U.S. law and international treaties so that it could perform its revenge. But then it realised, after a lot of painful work, that it had gathered a bunch of non-combatants.
When the guards noticed my chessboard, they all wanted to play me. And when they started to play me, they always won. The strongest among the guards taught me how to control the center. After that, the guards had no chance to defeat me.
I would like to believe the majority of Americans want to see justice done, and they are not interested in financing the detention of innocent people.
