Families' plea to Iraq kidnappers

12 April 2012

The families of five men held captive in Iraq for nine months have made a desperate plea for their release.

In a statement released through the Foreign Office they address the kidnappers directly, saying: "Please, show the world your true humanity, and let our loved ones go."

They say they are "ordinary peace-loving British people" who miss their loved ones "more than we can express".

The statement came in response to a video message showing one of the hostages, Peter Moore, and released by a group Islamic Shia Resistance earlier this week.

In it Mr Moore asked Prime Minister Gordon Brown to free nine Iraqi prisoners.

The families' statement was delivered by Pauline Sweeney, Mr Moore's stepmother. She said: "To our fathers, brothers, sons, and husbands, we miss you more than we can express. We hope our words reach you. Not a day goes by when we do not think of you. We pray we will all be reunited soon.

"We thank all those who are working for your release, and pray their efforts will succeed.

"To the leaders of the Islamic Shia Resistance, we wish to reply to your message. You tell us that you are against torture and injustice. So are we. We are suffering by being separated from our loved ones, and seeing them on television with their lives in danger.

"We understand the suffering of the Iraqi people, including the innocent Iraqis in prison. We would not wish that suffering on anyone. You tell us that you have been forced into taking our loved ones and can see that you are resisting an occupation. Please hear us when we say that we are just ordinary peace-loving British people.

"We are not involved in politics and we and our loved ones are not responsible for the actions of the British or American governments. But you are responsible for your actions. Please, show the world your true humanity, and let our loved ones go."

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