There are many evil regimes around the world that put people in jail and then refuse to let them read the Bible in their cells (Cuba, North Korea, etc.) Well, the United States of America is in the same category:

An elderly man named Paracha was kidnapped by the CIA while he was an a business trip to Bangkok.  Because his son was involved in some Moslem groups, they accused Paracha of being a supporter of Al-Quida. He was flown to Gitmo prison in Cuba. He has never had a chance to appear before a Judge to give his side of the story because the US calls him an "enemy combatant" and therefore Bush can hold him forever in jail with out ever charging him with a crime or giving him the opportunity to clear his name.

Paracha is a moslem but was curious to read the Bible while in jail. He asked for a Bible. The government refused to give him a Bible. They said prisoners in Gitmo are "enemy combatants" and have no right to read the Bible while being held forever in prison.

A pro-bono lawyer (working for free on the case), Mr. GT Hunt, filed a motion with a court to try to get him a Bible. The US District Court Judge Friedman decided to refuse to allow the man to get a Bible!

His lawyer says that it is still the Government's position that these prisoners must not be given Bibles to read. Paracha is still being held in Gitmo and will probably never get out, even though he says he is innocent.

Here is the Judge's decision from last November:
 
 
 

U.S. District Court

District of Columbia

Notice of Electronic Filing

The following transaction was received from MA, entered on 11/20/2006 at 2:36 PM
EDT and filed on 11/20/2006

Case Name:  PARACHA v. BUSH et al

Case Number:  1:04-cv-2022

Filer:

Document Number:

Docket Text:

MINUTE ORDER that in light of the Order [49] staying this matter entered on
March 23, 2005, the following motions are denied, without prejudice to their
being refiled after the Court has lifted the stay: [23] Respondents' Motion to
Dismiss the Amended Petition for Habeas Corpus; [28] Petitioner's Motion for
Summary Judgment; [69] Petitioner's Motion for Preliminary Injunction for Relief
from Punitive Conditions of Confinement; [72] Petitioner's Motion for
Preliminary Injunction Allowing Petitioner Access to a Bible and Other Books;
[83] Petitioner's Motion to Amend Petition and Add Attorney General as
Respondent; and [115] Petitioner's Motion for Preliminary Injunction Requiring
Appointment or Acceptance of Islamic Chaplains. Signed by Judge Paul L. Friedman
on November 20, 2006. (MA)

The following document(s) are associated with this transaction:

1:04-cv-2022 Notice will be electronically mailed to:

(Government Attorneys)
Terry Marcus Henry     terry.henry@usdoj.gov,

Preeya M. Noronha     preeya.noronha@usdoj.gov

Nicholas J. Patterson     nicholas.patterson@usdoj.gov,

Andrew I. Warden     andrew.warden@usdoj.gov,

Edward H. White     ned.white@usdoj.gov
 

(Defendant's Attorneys)
Gaillard T. Hunt     gthunt@mdo.net

Zachary Katznelson     zachary@reprieve.org.uk