Democracy Now Summaries

Nadia Leon

Soc 122 Mon-Wed 3:30-4:45

Democracy Now

            One episode of democracy now that I watched was about an anti-drone activist that was going to speak out about drones and how they are destructive and should not be used. This anti-drone activist’s name was Karim Khan and he went missing on February 5. It was known that he was going to be speaking against drones and it is suspected that he was abducted for that reason. Those who seen him get abducted, stated that there were about twenty people who grabbed him. Some were dressed as cops and others looked like normal citizens. He was against drones because he lost family members to a drone strike and therefore believed there was no good reason for them. The timing of this kidnapping is very coincidental because he was planned to leave to Europe and speak to parliamentarians within the upcoming days. He was also targeted because he was a part of a documentary that was about the use of drones and those who have been attacked. There is hope for his safe return.  

Link: http://www.democracynow.org/2014/2/12/karim_khan_anti_drone_activist_who

The second episode of democracy now that I watched showed the documentary Wounds of Waziristan this documentary had Karim Khan and he tell his story about how family members were killed by a drone. Within this documentary there are others who also tell their stories of how drones have disrupted their life in some way. Within the description of this episode of Democracy now it is stated that after being kidnapped on February 5^th Karim Khan was freed and he tells the human rights group about his experience. He says he was tortured and questioned about his involvement with drones. While being in captivity he was beaten and tortured. Tired in chains in a location that he was not aware of. Although he was gone through this traumatic experience he states that he is still going to travel to Europe and speak with the parliamentarians. He wants to make sure that those who seized him don’t get their way and know that there are people who will continue to fight even considering the consequences.

Link: http://www.democracynow.org/blog/2014/2/11/watch_wounds_of_waziristan_features_anti?autostart=true