It seems appropriate that I write a blog to end this year: At the start of the year we had only just realised the enormous milestone achieved a few months before of Prince Charles and David Cameron raising the case at the Commonwealth Summit, a significant turning point of the campaign. Knowing the Sri Lankan president had ordered for a trial to start were positive words yet it remained a waiting game for months to come. The main suspect losing the plot by thinking absconding from signing in duties would aid him well, went against him and the warrant for an arrest was imminent. The police played there part well and soon behind bars was the conclusion. The trial starting was a huge burden off our shoulders as it became a hard fought campaign for over two years. Media in the UK continued keeping good coverage of the story but the Sri Lankan media played a far bigger part ensuring the story wasn’t forgotten and however sporadic remained in the news. Following a group of over 20 completing the 2013 BUPA Manchester 10k run raising awareness to the campaign, on Sunday 29th June we took part in the 2014 Great Manchester Cycle to continue the annual awareness whilst raising money for charity. We cycled a gruelling 26 miles. My thanks to all those involved. Weeks later it was my visit to Sri Lanka for the week leading up to the verdict. This was to be an emotional one. Knowing the difficult challenges and obstacles we had to overcome were to end very soon. The British High Commission were truly amazing during our difficult times supporting myself and the family at a time in need. I cannot thank their team enough and proves the important values they have in many countries abroad. The penultimate night was the most difficult one. I didn’t want to sleep knowing when I wake up is when the verdict would be given. I finally slept at 5am but what really kept me going however tearful was when on that night many friends and family changed their Facebook profile photo to the cover photo of Justice For Khuram. Something simplistic yet powerful as I realised then I wasn’t alone in this journey. On 18th July, the judge gave her overwhelming and damning verdict to 4 of the 6 accused – a clear message to those who inflicted pain, harm, trauma and assault to two young individuals thinking they were above the law proving how pathetically wrong they were. That day brought two countries together delivering one outcome – the true result of guilty! Whilst we must not forget the appeals process starts next year, the commitment to the cause will remain strong to the very end, so if anything untoward is to happen this campaign will kick start where it left off. The media, the interviews, the UK officials will voice where ever is necessary so lets hope that Sri Lanka and the judicial system remains upstanding to what it has already delivered on. At the end of July I had the opportunity to be on radio for the Gaza appeal and talk about Khurams latest Red Cross mission abroad. This was my first opportunity to share the real personal detail of his work and of him as a person. The latter part of the year was very much about understanding the achievement of the campaign; reflecting back on the trials and tribulations and the whole accomplishment we achieved together during my journey. In December, Salford University named their prosthetics room as the Khuram Shaikh Clinical Suite with a plaque unveiled to guests – a fantastic tribute where his legacy will continue on. Finally I would like to thank some individual people: The Judge who was instrumental in making sure there was no unnecessary influence or biased views brought to the case bringing a swift conclusion; State Prosecutor for delivering a professional and respectful role in the courts; Sri Lankan CID team ensuring no stone was untouched in its investigation whilst bringing maximum security to Victoria; Witnesses who stood strong and resolute including Victoria who herself was a victim; Deputy High Commissioner for supporting us all the way; Simon Danczuk for the continual drive and commitment to achieve justice; Matt Baker for the many media avenues/openings and since then have become close friends; BBC reporter Charles Havilland for keeping the campaign alive in Sri Lanka; ITV reporter Dan Hewitt for keeping the campaign alive in Manchester; Sanjaya my personal tuk-tuk driver, an honourable person who looked after me on my final visit; Vice Chancellor & Joe Wilkinson making the Salford University Khuram Shaikh Clnical Room become a reality; ICRC/Mayor of Gaza making the Khuram Shaikh Rehabilitation Room become a reality; Saqib Rauf for advising me on law and order; Joe Sedgwick for being the first to add comments and sharing posts whilst being the first to face-time me on the morning of the guilty verdict as we shared tears of joy; Ahmed Mosa for allowing us to donate cupboards for Islamic books at the mosque Khuram went to in Gaza City; Carl Cato & Chris Cody always at the forefront of sharing events with Khuram friends and work colleagues and brought the BAPO article to fruition; Anthony Smith & Kevin Daley travelling to Sri Lanka with me; Justin Griffiths (my boss) for the overwhelming personal support given at work; Colm O’Laoire inviting me to visit IDS (Dublin) and planting a tree at the grounds where Khuram worked; Kirrily Clarke & Helene Skaardal who brought my parents a Holy Quran that Khuram himself had intended to buy from Jerusalem; Nicolas Vout for being that very first contact from ICRC when the horrific news was shared. And special thanks to my parents for bringing up Khuram into a wonderful well respected human being, my sisters who have been inspirational, my wife & children for their love and understanding having to devote time away from our young family dedicating much time to this campaign and lastly to everyone who followed this page and LIKED the posts - All the best for the New Year. “2014 – the year we achieved justice” XxX
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 23:40:09 +0000
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