LAHORE:
When Americans ‘play video games’ with Pakistani lives, instead of wiping out terrorism it causes radicalisation, says Clive Stafford Smith, founder and director of the UK-based legal action charity, Reprieve.
Smith was speaking at an art conference in which Pakistani and British artists shared their views of drone attacks through art works.
“We plan to bring together local and international artists, academics and lawyers for a meaningful dialogue on drone warfare and how we can use our collective talent to provoke a debate,” he said.
The conference – part of the Bugsplat week – was held in collaboration with Justice Project Pakistan (JPP), a Lahore-based non-profit law firm that defends prisoners, especially those on death row, who cannot afford a lawyer. Reprieve has helped almost 300 people escape death row in the United States.
It has also represented and helped secure the release of some Guantanamo Bay prisoners.
Those taking part in the art exhibit include British photographer Edmund Clark who has done a series on Guantanamo. Lisa Barnard, another photographer, has used images of her own belly to act as a metaphor for the lives that have been destroyed due to drone attacks.
Daniyal Noorani and Maria Khan displayed their comic book style music video showing the anti-Pakistan sentiment existing in American media.
Hassan Zaidi demonstrated his own drone model. The attached camera enables it to capture views from high above.
“We have already used this drone to make a music video and are selling the idea to news channels so they can get a different angle in their news footage,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2011.
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what kind of a democracy isn't able to stop something like this when its own people are against it. hmmm...