After
acquainting myself with everything I could learn about the disappearance
of
Madeleine
McCann, trying to study the
files
released by the Portuguese PJ, watching video interviews, reading every
news article I had time to read, I knew that there was something quite
wrong with the story told by Madeleine's parents and their friends. So
much has been already said about that, all over the internet there are
people, like me, expressing the reasons why - there is no need to go
into that here and now.
A long time ago I came to the conclusion that no legal punishment the
McCanns could possibly face for their actions after their child "went
missing" would be as traumatic as losing the daughter they loved. I
believed they loved Madeleine. It is what they have done from May 2007
on that I have thought about and continue to think about every day and
why I believe they must be held to account.
The McCanns and others aligned with them apparently determined that the
way to exonerate themselves, to avoid the consequences for their
actions, was to destroy a Truthteller, a man who would not turn his
back on his lifelong commitment to justice, a man who would not cast
aside his integrity. As I watched it take place, I even came to the
point of wondering if they did love their children, if those happy
family photos told the true story. Could they be capable of love and at
the same time capable of intentionally ruining other people's lives?
People they knew to be telling the truth when they knew they themselves
were NOT telling the truth?
More for
Dr.
Amaral (and others they have attempted to destroy), than for
the crimes related to Madeleine (crimes which I believe took place) I
have waited, with many others, for justice to be done and for the
McCanns and anyone else involved in the cover-up to their crimes be
subjected to the strictest punishment possible.
Over the last three and a half years, I've watched it all, as have so
many people from countries all around the world.
I saw a Portuguese professional lead an investigation into a little
girl's disappearance. I watched him dedicate himself to solving a
complicated case - working with a crime scene contaminated by the
McCanns and their friends, being subjected to the immediate intervention
of the British government, staying silent (as was his duty) when
reporters and pundits insulted him, questioned his abilities, mocked his
appearance.
Then I watched as, on his birthday, he was removed from the case - a
transfer apparently known about by the British Prime Minister before Dr.
Amaral himself was even informed of the action (the outrageous
injustice, in my opinion).
This dignified professional, with over 20 years serving his countrymen,
was not defended by those who led the organisation to which he had given
his life. His career, up until that time, had been exemplary, and who
stood up for him against the xenophobic British media who labeled him a
"Keystone Kop"? Where were his superiors when the British headlines
were screaming (inaccurately) that he was "fired"? Who among them stood
up to defend him when reporters were calling him a "bumbler",
"disgraced" or "inept"?
I saw a man who had conducted himself with quiet dignity and who chose
to leave a career he loved, who stepped off the path he'd walked his
entire life, because he refused to break the rules of the organisation
he served by speaking out about the case - a man forced to leave his
profession out of a commitment to the very thing that organisation was
supposed to stand for - TRUTH and JUSTICE.
To speak the truth, this man made what had to have been an agonising
decision...and yet, after watching him all this time, I believe it was
the only decision he could make and remain true to all he had ever been.
So... he wrote the truth of the investigation. The "Truth
of the Lie" is not vindictive in tone, it is not cruel or
unkind. It is a factual account of the investigation into the
disappearance of Madeleine McCann, up until the time Dr. Amaral was
removed from the helm of the inquiry.
It is the voice that had remained silent finally finding expression.
I applaud the
Lisbon Appeals Court for overturning the decision to silence
this man. Specifically, I applaud the Appeals Court judges, Francisco
Bruto da Costa, Catarina Arelo Manso and António Valente for upholding
the right of this Portuguese citizen, one who has served his country for
so many years, with integrity and professionalism, to speak freely and
to be heard by those of us all around the world who want to hear him.
***
To the Amarals, if by some chance you read this blog;
I want to thank you for your courage and the sacrifices you have ALL
made. While many are celebrating the decision of the Lisbon court, I
find myself filled with a deep sadness over what you have endured. My
hope is that you will be fully vindicated and that the days ahead bring
you peace and happiness as a family.
To you, Dr. Amaral, a personal note;
This world is full of many injustices, there are many people who suffer
unfairly and many things that are impossible to accept without protest.
This has been one of those things. I agree with the definition of a hero
as being a person who faces adversity by choice, unselfishly, motivated
by principles and a commitment to his fellow man. And you are that, Dr.
Amaral. It is rarely I've ever been willing to call anyone a hero, but
you are that to me. Thank you for helping me believe there is goodness
in this world.
Para os Amarais, se por algum acaso você ler este blog;
Quero agradecer a você por sua coragem e os sacrifícios que todos têm
feito. Enquanto muitos estão comemorando a decisão do tribunal de Lisboa,
sinto-me cheio de uma tristeza profunda sobre o que você tem sofrido.
Minha esperança é que você vai ser plenamente justificada e que os
próximos dias lhe tragam paz e felicidade como uma família.
Para você, Dr. Amaral, uma nota pessoal;
Este mundo está cheio de muitas injustiças, há muitas pessoas que sofrem
injustamente e muitas coisas que são impossíveis de aceitar, sem
protestar. Esta foi uma dessas coisas. Concordo com a definição de um
herói como sendo uma pessoa que enfrenta a adversidade pela escolha,
desinteressadamente, motivados por princípios e um compromisso com seus
semelhantes. E você é isso, Dr. Amaral. É raro que eu já estive disposto
a chamar alguém um herói, mas você é que para mim. Obrigado por me
ajudar a acreditar que existe bondade neste mundo. |
