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This blog is on behalf of Marnie Pearce who is currently in prison in Dubai. Amnesty have already confirmed that Marnie, once imprisoned, would be considered a Prisoner of Conscience.
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Marnie's story - in her own words
RECENT NEWS. February 19th 2009
Marnie Pearce Statement
Today will have been the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. I have no choice but to hand myself into the police. I have been waiting for three weeks in the belief that I may have been granted Bail. I still do not know, but for the sake of my babies we must move on. We have nowhere else to go and my little men 'need' some normality in there lives, for them school was everything and I made the decision to withdraw them in order for us to spend our last days together. The boys were extremely distraught after the 'car chase' incident in which I had four babies and another adult with me, through the streets of Jumeirah. What he did and what he has done with regards to these physical attacks in the past 11 months have deeply scared them both. God willing Ziad will not remember such things, but the pain of losing me will be there.
Laith, however, has and will continue to store such memories in his mind. He loves his father but his fear of me being taken from him has given him a fear of his father. This is terrible because Laith loves him so much, and Ihab has damaged him by trying to take him from me in such terrible circumstances. I have written at great lengths in the past 11 months and I hope that one day, my boys become beautiful young men and have the courage to stand in front of their father and ask just one thing "why did you take our mum from us?". They will read what has happened in such detail. I don't regret hiding away with them for the last few weeks, to spend as much time as humanly possible with them, before facing upto the fact of never seeing them for a very,very long time., During this time, we have snuggled and cuddled and played and laughed, we laughed a lot. Laith says I'm the funniest mum in the world, how cool is that? We also talked, I have all along been very honest with Laith and Ziad from the onset. Ihab had told me sometime back that 'if' I went to prison he would tell them I was 'away' on holiday………….that was when I made a promise to myself and to them that I would be completely and utterly honest about each and every action. The possibilities – good or bad.
I told them a week ago that I would be forced to hand them over to Daddy, and that I have no choice. They have cried rivers and they will continue too. I have told them that Mummy must go to prison because if I don't eventually the police will come and look for us and that wouldn't be nice for them. I have told them as I do always and have done ever since day one that 'Daddy loves them', that 'Daddy adores them', I have no doubt in my mind of this. It is one of the only consolations that I have in my heart is that they will be 'safe' with him. I have all along from day one and from before, said that Ihab can be a good Dad, But the love is not the same between them. And the boys love for him has proven this fact.
The other consolation being that they are extremely close to me and that I have been the best mother that I could possibly have been, I may not be perfect but I have given them everything that god says you should give to your babies. They are my life and I would die for them, I really have battled and fought so hard and only god knows what lays ahead.
I cannot even begin to put into words the feelings of desperation, loss, fear and numbness that I feel. It really is like something has been driven through my chest, I have the most horrendous worries that only a mum could ever have, who will wipe their tears when they fall? who will pick them up when they are down? who will ask them what they did at the end of every school day? who will read with them and teach right from wrong? who will make sure they flush the toilet? who will cheer them on at sports day? How does he/she know what they eat, what they like, what they don't like? who will do their homework with them and make sure they are warm, and that they are never alone? who will be the first person they see when they wake and the last person when they sleep, who will they talk to about there first girlfriends? who will they share there dreams with? who will go to Laith's school and sit with him in his Dyslexia class? who will know the P.E days of each one, who will know when their library books need changing, who will make sure they have there swimming things on the right day, who will wipe there tears when another child is horrible to them, who will arrange their play dates, who will teach them 'proper' English at home? who will sew the hems of his shorts when there too long, who will even notice? Who will answer the million 'why' questions that they ask me everyday? who will tell them about nanny, granddad and uncles and aunts in my family? THE MAID…..
MY CHILDREN HAVE NEVER, EVER, LEFT THE HOUSE WITH A MAID EVER IN THEIR LIVES. I HAD A MAID LIKE MOST WOMEN HERE, BUT UNLIKE A LOT OF MAIDS MINE HAD ONE JOB AND ONE JOB ONLY. CLEAN, CLEAN AND MORE CLEANING. MY MAID DID NOT EVEN WALK OUR DOG. WHEN MY MAID ARRIVED SHE HAD LIED TO US AND SAID SHE HAD NO CHILDREN, TWO DAYS LATER SHE ADMITTED IT. SHE LEFT HERS BEHIND.
ANSWER. A man that travels the minimum of 12 days a month, with a global position at work. But then maybe he will marry Tonya (The woman he has an affair with, whilst married to me) , and bring her here and try to replace me. My children have met her, they know her. I do not care about this , because she is welcome to him– but I do care about being deported from the Emirates and not being able to see my children again.
The MAID
A completely ILLITERATE housemaid that was brought from Indonesia and finished school at 9 years old. Cannot speak English, literally.. This maid has 'house sat' in my home, that I own half of and she has been paid to witness against me. Suddenly she will have two small boys to look after.…mmm, I wonder for how long? She is a thief, a liar and extremely unhygienic. She never owned a toothbrush when she arrived and had three abscesses in her mouth when she came. She stank and she never washed because she 'only' washed once per week in Indonesia and she is going to show my boys how to look after themselves?
When this is posted I will be detained already and have said goodbye to Laith and Ziad, and there for them there pain and confusion will really start. They will go back to 'their' bedrooms and 'their toys' and 'their home', the familiar surroundings of before. He will spoil them, give them what they want whatever the cost, but when they put their little heads down to sleep at night none of it, none of it will ever REPLACE me and I know that, but the pain I will feel knowing that I cant console them will forever be on me. Not to reach out and hold them, to wrap myself around them will be unbearable.
For Laith it has been so hard for him to shut down at night and he talks so much to me. It can take him hours to sleep, and when I go to bed and we have slept side by side for 11 months he tells me everything…………..I have told Laith that because I wont be there with him, beside him that he can be sure of one thing, so, so sure and that is, that whilst he is thinking of me I will 'always, always' be thinking of him at the 'same' time.
Throughout this horrendous journey Laith and Ziad have proved to be such strong, courageous, kind and cheerful little men…………who through my sheer determination to keep them have proved that 'mums love' is all that they needed to keep going. It has been hard and I just hope and pray that Ihab will find it in his heart to allow me to be with them and to let me bring them up. I will be in prison on Laiths birthday and deported before Ziad's 5th birthday – never to see them again according to Dubai courts.
To top it all off I am going to prison over forged documents that have been doctored to suit the prosecution and to Ihab’s ‘Alleged’ allegations about me. This has been analyzed and proven – No court in the civilized world would convict anyone on these falsified documents, which have been submitted to the court.
I have appealed this to the court for March 2nd but I have no faith and no hope left, there is nothing on the face of this earth that could have justified the action of what Ihab has done, I carried the children for nine months and they are as much mine as they are his. After all – He was the one who had the affair that caused all of this.
Please, Please I am begging Ihab to find a way out of here, so that we can BOTH have them. Since, I have been given custody of the children – I should legally have a say on them being brought up as well as Ihab. And if this sentence gets carried out with deportation – this will not be the case. As Laith always said, 'Daddy goes out to earn the money and mummy stays and looks after us' ……………..please let me bring them up…………………….it’ s THEIR right.
The children are the most important here –
Don't take it from them.
Marnie Pearce Statement
Today will have been the hardest thing that I have ever done in my life. I have no choice but to hand myself into the police. I have been waiting for three weeks in the belief that I may have been granted Bail. I still do not know, but for the sake of my babies we must move on. We have nowhere else to go and my little men 'need' some normality in there lives, for them school was everything and I made the decision to withdraw them in order for us to spend our last days together. The boys were extremely distraught after the 'car chase' incident in which I had four babies and another adult with me, through the streets of Jumeirah. What he did and what he has done with regards to these physical attacks in the past 11 months have deeply scared them both. God willing Ziad will not remember such things, but the pain of losing me will be there.
Laith, however, has and will continue to store such memories in his mind. He loves his father but his fear of me being taken from him has given him a fear of his father. This is terrible because Laith loves him so much, and Ihab has damaged him by trying to take him from me in such terrible circumstances. I have written at great lengths in the past 11 months and I hope that one day, my boys become beautiful young men and have the courage to stand in front of their father and ask just one thing "why did you take our mum from us?". They will read what has happened in such detail. I don't regret hiding away with them for the last few weeks, to spend as much time as humanly possible with them, before facing upto the fact of never seeing them for a very,very long time., During this time, we have snuggled and cuddled and played and laughed, we laughed a lot. Laith says I'm the funniest mum in the world, how cool is that? We also talked, I have all along been very honest with Laith and Ziad from the onset. Ihab had told me sometime back that 'if' I went to prison he would tell them I was 'away' on holiday………….that was when I made a promise to myself and to them that I would be completely and utterly honest about each and every action. The possibilities – good or bad.
I told them a week ago that I would be forced to hand them over to Daddy, and that I have no choice. They have cried rivers and they will continue too. I have told them that Mummy must go to prison because if I don't eventually the police will come and look for us and that wouldn't be nice for them. I have told them as I do always and have done ever since day one that 'Daddy loves them', that 'Daddy adores them', I have no doubt in my mind of this. It is one of the only consolations that I have in my heart is that they will be 'safe' with him. I have all along from day one and from before, said that Ihab can be a good Dad, But the love is not the same between them. And the boys love for him has proven this fact.
The other consolation being that they are extremely close to me and that I have been the best mother that I could possibly have been, I may not be perfect but I have given them everything that god says you should give to your babies. They are my life and I would die for them, I really have battled and fought so hard and only god knows what lays ahead.
I cannot even begin to put into words the feelings of desperation, loss, fear and numbness that I feel. It really is like something has been driven through my chest, I have the most horrendous worries that only a mum could ever have, who will wipe their tears when they fall? who will pick them up when they are down? who will ask them what they did at the end of every school day? who will read with them and teach right from wrong? who will make sure they flush the toilet? who will cheer them on at sports day? How does he/she know what they eat, what they like, what they don't like? who will do their homework with them and make sure they are warm, and that they are never alone? who will be the first person they see when they wake and the last person when they sleep, who will they talk to about there first girlfriends? who will they share there dreams with? who will go to Laith's school and sit with him in his Dyslexia class? who will know the P.E days of each one, who will know when their library books need changing, who will make sure they have there swimming things on the right day, who will wipe there tears when another child is horrible to them, who will arrange their play dates, who will teach them 'proper' English at home? who will sew the hems of his shorts when there too long, who will even notice? Who will answer the million 'why' questions that they ask me everyday? who will tell them about nanny, granddad and uncles and aunts in my family? THE MAID…..
MY CHILDREN HAVE NEVER, EVER, LEFT THE HOUSE WITH A MAID EVER IN THEIR LIVES. I HAD A MAID LIKE MOST WOMEN HERE, BUT UNLIKE A LOT OF MAIDS MINE HAD ONE JOB AND ONE JOB ONLY. CLEAN, CLEAN AND MORE CLEANING. MY MAID DID NOT EVEN WALK OUR DOG. WHEN MY MAID ARRIVED SHE HAD LIED TO US AND SAID SHE HAD NO CHILDREN, TWO DAYS LATER SHE ADMITTED IT. SHE LEFT HERS BEHIND.
ANSWER. A man that travels the minimum of 12 days a month, with a global position at work. But then maybe he will marry Tonya (The woman he has an affair with, whilst married to me) , and bring her here and try to replace me. My children have met her, they know her. I do not care about this , because she is welcome to him– but I do care about being deported from the Emirates and not being able to see my children again.
The MAID
A completely ILLITERATE housemaid that was brought from Indonesia and finished school at 9 years old. Cannot speak English, literally.. This maid has 'house sat' in my home, that I own half of and she has been paid to witness against me. Suddenly she will have two small boys to look after.…mmm, I wonder for how long? She is a thief, a liar and extremely unhygienic. She never owned a toothbrush when she arrived and had three abscesses in her mouth when she came. She stank and she never washed because she 'only' washed once per week in Indonesia and she is going to show my boys how to look after themselves?
When this is posted I will be detained already and have said goodbye to Laith and Ziad, and there for them there pain and confusion will really start. They will go back to 'their' bedrooms and 'their toys' and 'their home', the familiar surroundings of before. He will spoil them, give them what they want whatever the cost, but when they put their little heads down to sleep at night none of it, none of it will ever REPLACE me and I know that, but the pain I will feel knowing that I cant console them will forever be on me. Not to reach out and hold them, to wrap myself around them will be unbearable.
For Laith it has been so hard for him to shut down at night and he talks so much to me. It can take him hours to sleep, and when I go to bed and we have slept side by side for 11 months he tells me everything…………..I have told Laith that because I wont be there with him, beside him that he can be sure of one thing, so, so sure and that is, that whilst he is thinking of me I will 'always, always' be thinking of him at the 'same' time.
Throughout this horrendous journey Laith and Ziad have proved to be such strong, courageous, kind and cheerful little men…………who through my sheer determination to keep them have proved that 'mums love' is all that they needed to keep going. It has been hard and I just hope and pray that Ihab will find it in his heart to allow me to be with them and to let me bring them up. I will be in prison on Laiths birthday and deported before Ziad's 5th birthday – never to see them again according to Dubai courts.
To top it all off I am going to prison over forged documents that have been doctored to suit the prosecution and to Ihab’s ‘Alleged’ allegations about me. This has been analyzed and proven – No court in the civilized world would convict anyone on these falsified documents, which have been submitted to the court.
I have appealed this to the court for March 2nd but I have no faith and no hope left, there is nothing on the face of this earth that could have justified the action of what Ihab has done, I carried the children for nine months and they are as much mine as they are his. After all – He was the one who had the affair that caused all of this.
Please, Please I am begging Ihab to find a way out of here, so that we can BOTH have them. Since, I have been given custody of the children – I should legally have a say on them being brought up as well as Ihab. And if this sentence gets carried out with deportation – this will not be the case. As Laith always said, 'Daddy goes out to earn the money and mummy stays and looks after us' ……………..please let me bring them up…………………….it’ s THEIR right.
The children are the most important here –
Don't take it from them.
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18 Comments
Dear Lara, thanks for posting this. I work in Amnesty's press office and I'm hoping to do some more work on Marnie's case. Maybe you could give me a ring on 020 7033 1548 to discuss working together?
Best wishes,
Steve
Steve,
I've been trying to contact Kate Allen regarding Marnie, please can you contact me urgently.
Many thanks.
Maybe she should look on the bright side, Marni has sons. If she had girls her husband could take them back to Egypt where 90% of all Egyptian girls/women undergo some form of circumcision. The poorer ones take their little princesses to a barber who slices off their clits with a razor WITHOUT ANAESTETIC where the wealthier Egyptians take their girls to clinics. It is not unusual for mothers and brothers of the little girl to hold them down whilst the deed is being done. This is the truth. I have lived and worked in Egypt and it is extremely common, but very hush hush in the West. And all in the name of honour, remove the clitoris and you remove that feeling that comes with sex and prevents their women from straying and not being virgins on their wedding night.
Be careful when you marry outside of your faith. Be careful when you allow your head to rule your heart.
I feel sorry for Marni.
Perhaps before judging Marnie you should read her own website which is located at www.costapages.com/savemarniesbabies
If you have the stomach for it there is also footage of the handover now hosted by the Sun newspaper – I warn you all it is tragic and heartbreaking
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article2311864.ece
I've seen the video, Lara. It is indeed sad but how badly did she want that cup of tea to risk losing her children ? She must have known of Dubai's customs and religions, after all she was living there long enough. I'm sick to the back teeth of British people thinking their passport can save them when they arrogantly decide to flout the law of another country.
Islam dictates that a man can take up to four wives. Therefore, any British woman who takes a Muslim husband knowing full well that he can come home after a hard day's work with three other wives is just asking for trouble. Silly girl !
Bee
Under the circumstances, very arrogant, unsympathetic and self righteous comments!
I thought I was reading a story from the medieval times, I can honestly say that I am utterly appalled at the way this woman is being treated – what century are these people in? Rapists and Murderers should be imprisoned…not a Mother who's only crime is to have stood up to her husband in the wake of their relationship breakdown. Take away religion and judgements; a Mother's place is with her children. They will end up growing up traumatised and without the love of a mother. The perpetrator of this horrific crime is the ex husband; if a man like that can be blind to the pain and torture that he is inflicting on his own children…then he is capable of anything. What are the British Government doing to help? Isn't it about time they hide behind diplomacy and show some backbone to help Marnie. I will be highlighting this to all I know to help support her.
Marnie I think of you at the end of my day and I cry myself to sleep, all the while praying that God, Alah will do something to end this nightmare.
Marnie should be immediately released and her children returned to her, her former husband is the worst kind of human being, full of vengence and hatred, god only knows what damage he has already done to his children. And he thinks it's love.
How does he sleep at night, the man is an animal not worthy of raising a dog! Sharia law almost certainly favours the man, don't expect to get any justice or see common sense prevail in the courts of Dubai, the system is archaic, reminiscent of the dark ages, even the mention of human rights would probably see you jailed for 24 hours, this email would likely do enough to have the same effect.
For God Sakes someone please stand up and help Marnie, this has nothing to do with religion, it has everything to do with her right's and the right's of her children. It is Wrong!! The British Government , it's you that should be doing more, protect them!
I've never been so offended, the law is just a complete joke and it makes it so difficult to live in Dubai all the time knowing what kind of place it is.
Dear Marnie,
Am going to your Facebook site if I can to find out how I can help you.
Please, please don't ever give way to despair. There are many people on your side working to get you reunited with your children.
All the best,
Margaret (a former Bracknell resident!)
This happened to me in 1983 (4 children abducted) by a Lebanese Christian husband. No help from the Foreign Office, The Lord Chancellors Office. The only contact I had was through the RED CROSS visiting the children. It took 10 years for me to see my children again when my eldest son found me.
This is the mentality not the religion… They think it is their right to control.. they are the men…
I contacted his boss… he fired him on the spot…
WHAT IS THE ADDRESS OF THE OFFICE OF PROCTOR AND GAMBLE WHERE THIS MAN WORKS… WE SHOULD BE SENDING THOUSANDS OF EMAILS TO PROCTOR AND GAMBLE.
Read the Mind of an abductor………
They do not take them for Love but to punish the wife because he can't control her… He doesn't love your children, they don't take children out of love.
GIVE US THE PHONE NUMBER OF PROCTOR AND GAMBLE IF THEY GET ENOUGH CALLS THEY MAY BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS FATHER DROP THE CHARGES AND GIVE BACK THE CHILDREN TO THEIR MOTHER…….
I know how Marnie feels.. I was there. It's always the woman's fault.
I know the mother-in-law hanging up the phone…
I went to the Foreign Office, I called the British Embassy they did send someone to check on the children.
Over and over again… they all say SORRY I CAN'T HELP YOU.
SO GIVE US THE PHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF PROCTOR AND GAMBLE….
This father is not in control of Proctor and Gamble……..
It is becoming a national sport…
God will punish this man…. I watched it happen to my ex….
There is Justice…. God's Justice…
I feel so sorry for this woman who's heart has been ripped out by outdated ridiculous law.
Has anyone asked the kids who they want to be with?
How can this woman be helped and what can i do to contribute?