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The fight of a man for life and the struggle of a woman for revealing the truth.
A conversation with Mrs. Aida wife of Salah Hashad. The survivor from Tazmamart
Although mining in the memories, especially the memories of lead years, always revives the pains and sorrows, Mrs. Aida Hashad the owner of Al-Riad pharmacy that participated greatly in helping the survivors of Tazmamart hell, accepted to talk with me on the unknown destiny of one of the victims and his family who never surrender to despair even once and hold the thing hope string till the truth finally is revealed, to all the world.
It's the trend that reflects the circumstances in which Morocco lived for more than two decades and through which we can touch the pains and sufferings of Moroccans individuals, groups, organizations, or institutions. A trend that helps forming a general Idea on how the Khofcracy developed in our country.
The beginning of all beginnings:
First of all we must know the topic in general. When the rebel happened on 16th August 1972 some men were arrested and introduced to court at the same year and they were sentenced in November 1972. Of course it was a military trial at the primary court of Konaitra, it was in Ramadan and the sentences were so severe 11 death sentences and 5 or 6 were sentenced to 20 years. Among the accused persons there were some youth who were sentenced to 5 and 10 years while they did nothing but their daily usual work according to the supervisors' orders and those never understood why they were condemned. After the trials all the families were waiting the time when they will be allowed to visit their people. When the judicial series was finished the death sentences had been executed on 13th January 1973. It happened to be the day before the feast so sorrows and grieves spread all over the country.
The families afterwards demanded their right to visit the prisoners and although they went to the attorney general and the ministry of justice, they never managed to get their right.
On the 7th of August 1973 we were surprised to hear that the prisoners were hijacked from the Konaitra prison. The next morning a guard at the prison dropped by and told me that the prisoners were transferred at 2 am and when I asked to where? He answered that he had no Idea and none knows anything about their direction and there is even no formal procedures or information regarding this operation. He just said that agents from the monarchy guards came and took them in military vans.
After less than a month a soldier came to me at the pharmacy his name was Mohammed Kharboosh. He asked about me so I stepped out to see him, he gave me a letter from my husband telling me that he is imprisoned at an area near Al-Reesh in a small village named Tazmamart. This was the first message after along time; I was not the only one who received a message from the prisoners of Tazmamart.
It was a big surprise especially while I know that if they were kidnapped then they're dead. There were no news at all and we did not even visit them once so this convinced us with their death.
At this message my husband asked me to send some medications and stuff so I did without thinking. This first contact with Karboosh was in September 73 and the second contact was in October then a third meeting but afterwards the authorities knew that there were some contacts between the prisoners and their families.
It might be one of the guards who reported Kharboosh so he was arrested at Al-reesh just after he stepped out of a bus near his house, but during the investigation he denied anything g at all and insisted on this, and he had a letter from me to my husband and two picture of my kids fortunately they did not find them or otherwise it would have been the proof on his being involved as the contact person. But how did this happen? It was because of the gallantry of the guard who found them and didn't tell the investigators, he even kept them for five years. In spite of his denial Kharboosh was imprison in Tazmamart for six months and under the same circumstances of the other prisoners. Then he was released and early retired.
The connecting string between my husband and me was cut but anyway I knew where he was. I called the prime minister and the military court but in vain. I was not able to reveal the information I had as no one could know what would happen.
Continuing in the adventure despite the danger:
The connection was cut for five years and the angel of Tazmamart did not show again till 1978 during that period all the families suffered especially when they heard that all the prisoners had been assassinated. Many times people came to tell me awful news for example one told me that Salah lost his sight, another one told me that he is killed and a third told me that he's committed suicide. I couldn't judge those stranger visitors then, I didn't know whether they really heard this or some one sent them to evoke me. Till now I cannot say which is right?
Whenever I ask some one about the source of his news he disappears and never return back. Every thing went this way till 1978, someone entered the pharmacy and asked about me I thought he wanted to consult me on some medication or so, he said good evening and I answered the same then stretched his hand, I thought to shake hands, gave me something I tried as hard as I can to stay calm especially while I am watched.
I returned to my desk to read the letter, and then back to the man to tell him "then you are the one who owns the neighboring land? I made this scenario and thank god he was smart and got it instantly. He answered yes, to be clearer I asked then you still want to buy our land? He answered yes then I told him but this is mom's decision and I'll take you to her to settle this up.
This way I invented and acted my play to convince the visitors and watchers and keep away any suspicions.
We went straight to my place and he explained the reason of his visit and gave me the first message that he got from Kharboosh when he searched him five years earlier. This was the proof on his coming from Tazmamart directly and he said that he used the message as a proof for me.
Of course I was sure of my husband's handwriting, signature, and his writing style. The message again told that the prisoners need so many medications, clothes, foods and vitamins. I was not able to prepare all this at that time as I couldn't return to the pharmacy and take the medications in front of the workers, It was four o'clock p.m.
I left the visitor at my place and returned to the work waiting till the closure time I pretended to leave like everyone else but returned back at eight to collect the medications, then returned home and finished preparing all the required things for the visitor, he took them and left at 5a.m fearing that the maid may come and see him.
I stayed like this trying as hard as possible to keep this spider thin string between me and my husband till 1980.
The importance of a Family network:
I forgot to tell you that Salah told me about his friends, who lives and who died at his message. The second time he sent me messages for other families, so I had to make some kind of discipline and be more cautious. At the beginning I didn't tell all the families I tried to make them join me very secretly as I was terrified of being uncovered. This is the reason why I didn't tell all the members of my family. Not because I doubted them but fearing of information leak. Especially when they were watching me so closely.
Then at the beginning it was only a small number of families, we started then organizing the relations and distributing responsibilities extremely secretly. This Way Mrs. Halima Al-Wafi the wife of Al-wafi, who was sentenced to ten years, shouldered the responsibility of telling the families of Dar Al-Baidaa. At the beginning contacting the families was so difficult because of the fear and mistrust.
At that time I used to say I have no choice and I have to take risk, but when the families got messages from their relatives in prison they began to trust us, some families were too despaired to feel any hope. Then Mrs. Halima contacted the Sedky and Zammouri families, and Mrs. Raieesh contacted Sidi Batash and Rabat families, Belkbeir family contacted Sefriouy family in Fas and the Magothi at Bab Sebta.
But there was another mission which is to move the case again.
Contacting the authorities, depression after depression:
We looked for the persons who can interfere to move the file, although all our contacts before refused by any way to even listen for the families. Our only demand was to tell us where our relatives were, and allow us to visit them. In 1981 we contacted all the parliamentarian groups and the head of the parliament and the prime minister, no one of those accepted to help us or even ask about our demands and there was no department answered our letters. There were so many letters directed to military, governmental, official, institutions, the organizations, and patriotic characters but in vain, we didn't receive any answer. At the end I sheltered to Dr.Khatabi and told him that I fed up and do not know whom to contact.
During this period some human rights activists but so carefully and cautiously I also contacted Mr. Omlil and just after that some one from amnesty international contacted me and I still remember delivering him the message from Tazmamart which was describing the conditions and circumstances of the prisoners there which is the same letter published later in the book of Gel Piro "Our friend the king"
Afterwards I faced difficulties convincing one of the Amnesty team to adopt our case he told me that they defend the right to expression but they cannot defend those who used the force to seize power as their internal regime refuses this. Finally he promised to look at the file as it has humanity prospective.
After that we went to the political parties and contacted Mr. Abdul Rahaman Al-Saiad and Mr. Sa'ed Zaghlol from the Itehad socialist party they promised to present our case to the higher levels at the party, but unfortunately Mahdi Al-Olawy refused to meet me. They also told me that Abdul-Raheem Buebeid cannot meet me and we must arrange a secret meeting so that no one can ever know about it. I refused such a meeting as I was trying to meet the secretary general of a party who has his own power and the meeting should be in public not secret as they said. At least they should have met me to listen even from the humanity and ethical prospective.
To survive means to have an American wife:
Afterwards my husband told me that a friend of them "Mubarak Altawil" the husband of an American woman managed to contact his wife officially and in public under the supervision of the authorities and their approval. This way He began contacting using messages and parcels and he also was specialized in every thing a break all over the day, fresh air, good food, medical care, cleanness, and good treatment.
When I knew this information I was extremely angry. It's not appropriate to discriminate just because he has an American wife. This was the last point we can bear it evoked the volcano inside me. So I tried to gather all my power, strength and courage to contact all the persons who have the power and are close to King Hassan the second what ever will this cost me.
I began with General Mawlay Hfeez and tried to contact him twice, then Mr. Kadeira whom I hoped he is going to do something as he was so close to the king and he really was kind to me and always told me to be patient waiting for the right time to open the issue with the king. I also contacted General Hosni Bensalman and my first meeting with him was in 1974 and the second time he refused to meet me as, he said, he had no time for me or he was traveling to America.
When I returned home that day someone asked me did you went to the General? I said yes and gave the people the message I wrote for him in which I assured that my kids grown up and they have the right to know their father's destiny. I added that they should tell the general he's not the only one I have contacted, but I reached some persons so close to the king, just to know what I did. I also wrote about the discrimination in Tazmamart and the shame of leaving people hungry at that prison but the husband of the American woman.
This was the language I used to talk to the officers who came to ask why I need to meet the General and the same language I used to speak to the king's consultant and all those I could reach from the authorities. I contacted General Kaderi and his position was so clear he told me that he cannot by anyway talk in this issue
.Every one refused to talk politicians, parliamentarians, parties either right or left parties no one talked.
Meeting the King:
As I found everyone tries to get away and afraid to open such an issue I thought to go directly to the king I accompanied my daughter and went to the king She managed to get close to him and say that she is the daughter of Salah Hashad the arrested in the plane incident, They took her to the palace and went after her the guards talked to me asked for my ID and asked about every thing in my life and the people I talk to and know. At this time my daughter came out of the palace accompanied with someone who told me that the king will look at the case and we have to go home then. This happened during 1986.
After this my family and I were so closely watched. Whenever and wherever we go and whatever we do.
After so long time we had to go abroad.
After waiting so long we were forced to present our case abroad especially after Nancy the wife of Mobarak Eltawil evoked the issue in America and at the parliament. At that time many moves have began, Mrs. Metiran, Mrs. Serfaty, the writer Gil Piro and the ASDHOM Association they all moved. We built a network at Paris and this way we managed to make some kind of international pressures. This was the way the hell of Tazmamrt discovered.
Of course we cannot deny the help and assistance of some people inside Morocco, it's difficult to say all their names I'll say only some of the names, there was Gawad Al-Iraqi from Konaitra who helped supporting the prisoners during the trials. There also was Mr. Benemro and Aiet Sa'ed who had the courage to talk about the issue for the first time at the parliament and ask Justice Ministry about the place of the prisoners in 990.
Generally during 1989-1990 many people inside and outside Morocco helped us, and I am sorry I cannot remember all the names but what is the most important is that all the international pressure helped finding solutions to this crisis. Knowing that the first help was that of Tazmamart angels especially Mr. Mohammed El-Sharbadawi.
The angel of Tazmamart hell:
Mohammed El-Sharbadawi was the thin string connecting the victims of Tazmamart hell to their families. He used to come in the morning and leaves when the mission is over. For the sake of truth and history this man had the first role in giving the survivors of Tazmamart a new life and thanks to him most of the headquarter "a" prisoners were alive while almost all those who were in headquarter "b" died, there were only 8 prisoners alive from headquarter "b".and they could not contact their families at all.
Mohammed El-Sharbadawi used to give the prisoners the medications and vitamins they needed to gather themselves and face despair. He also used to connect between us and them transforming information and news and so opening a window for hope to come and give the prisoner the strength to hold in life despite all the fatal circumstances in Tazmamart.
And despite of all different kinds of difficulties on all levels , the watch, the terror, the fright, the doubts , mistrust and the bad transportation between Tazmamart and Konaitera He shouldered the responsibility and supported and helped Tazmamart prisoners and connected them to their families, he used to come and return at the same day.
Finally the joy bells rang:
I said that there were many pressures outside the country and we used to hear and read about Tazmamart in the newspapers and magazines, listen to radio programmes all day long so the authorities had no choice especially while the reputation of Morocco was then suspected.
Then it a visit of the king to the USA was arranged and the senates refused to meet him unless he solves the problem of the militants. And here we must say that Nancy Al-tawil played a great role and moved so strongly.
Al-tawil was released first in September 1991. Nancy phoned me and told me some times in English and some times in French that her husband was released and talked to her that morning on the phone. She and I didn't believe it so I went my self to Khomaisat to see myself what is happening and tell her whether it is true. As soon as the phone call from America ended I called Mr. Banani and asked him to come with me and at the entrance of Khomaisat we saw the officers I knew almost all of them as they used to watch me and my family closely some times I used to say hello and both them and me knew each other. Of course my phone was watched too and they listened to the phone calls with Nancy and Banani.
What is important is that we reached there and looked for Al-tawil home; I met him and told me that all the prisoners left Tazmamart but he had no idea to where, but he knew that there were many trees.
He added that he was taken to the central prison of Konaitra then moved to Khomaisat and finally released.
His brother as an expression of his joy thought about preparing a tent to receive the people who would come to congratulate but this idea was totally forbidden by the leader who came and ordered him not to do such a thing, the brother was over raged and never understood why. I had to phone Nancy as she was eager to listen from me, so I went back home and told her what I have seen and that it is true what she heard.
At this call she told me that there were many people gathered in front5 of the senate house demanding the release of Tazmamart prisoners. This gave me a picture of the most marvelous effective role of civil society and how it would affect while this society in our country is being ruined.
Finally, Nancy told me that she is going herself to the senate house to tell them what happened.
By the morning of the next morning we began to hear about the other prisoners they began releasing those who had the shortest sentences and when I visited them they told me that the rest of the prisoners are at Ahromo School and are going to be released, too.
I went to the pharmacy as usual and the commissioner of the Intelligence phoned me, he introduced himself and asked about Salah Hashad I answered that only they had the news of him. Then he told me that Salah would be released that day but they do not know what time exactly and asked me not to leave my house.
At ten o'clock p.m some officers came to tell me that Salah is not going to be released that day and the release was put off till the next morning. When I asked about his place they told me that they are not allowed to tell afterwards I knew that he was at Konaitra prison spending the night.
But why did they do so? He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and spent exactly 19 years and 4 months so they used him to tell the media that he was not one of Tazmamart hell, but he was at the central prison of Konaitra.
Salah spent the night there with some friends of Tazmamart and released the next morning. I still remember that the Major came to me knocking my door at six o'clock a.m. to tell me to prepare my kids to meet their father even while he knew that they are old enough now and he did not have to afford this burden, coming and telling me.
At nine o'clock they called asking me to go and collect my husband.
Stop acting and playing:
When I reached the headquarter there was an army waiting outside either in military or civil suites, all at the same place. I went to the office without giving them any attention I found my husband at the commander office; I hugged him so long and cried.
Then the commander said that the king amnestied salah I couldn't control myself and shouted is it amnesty? My husband spent 19 years in prison and four months no one but god knows how the did pass so you can take him back for another eight months and I'll come to collect him then. I couldn't bare this acting and those plays anymore why are they making movies in such a humanitarian situation? Especially after everyone knew what is happened in Tazmamart.
A situation hard to understand:
Although all the violations and terrors I witnessed in our country, here comes Dr. El-Kateeb to declare his rejection to the serial of reconciliation, I called him and presented the situation from its humanitarian prospective and also Mahgoby Ardokhan. I keep asking till now aren't they satisfied with all the sufferings of Morocco and the Moroccans, All these human rights violations? What do they want exactly?
The final word:
Mrs. Aida Hashad finished her speech saying:" this is my case very briefly, I jumped over many many issues as I know you cannot by any means summarize the sufferings of twenty years, and as a matter of fact my case is a part of the crises of many Moroccan families which I hope it would never repeated again, ever"
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