Iranians Crackdown on Women Justified as “promoting virutues and combating vice”

Apr 302007
 

Public Statement by Women’s Forum Against Fundamentalism in Iran

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: press@wfafi.org

BOSTON, MA- -Since April 23, 2007, Tehran’s regime has launched an extensive and brutal crackdown on women for “promoting virtues and combating vice.” Thousands of women have been beaten, arrested and warned to follow the strict dress code of the Islamic Republic. Comments by Iranian Officials:

Saeed Mortazavi, Tehran’s Chief Prosecutor: “Majority of these mannequins (referring to women) appearing in public belong to criminal gangs and will be put away.” April 24, 2007 (Mortazavi is known for his role in rape and killing of Zahra Kazemi, the Iranian-Canadian photojournalist in summer of 2003.)

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 April 30, 2007  Posted by on April 30, 2007 Comments Off

Amnesty is “appalled” by Stoning in Iraq

Apr 292007
 

While being very appreciative of Amnesty for bringing this to the public spotlight, I’m not sure “appalled is quite the right adjective here…:

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
AI Index:MDE 14/027/2007

Public News Service No: 084
27 April 2007

Iraq: Amnesty International appalled by stoning to death of Yezidi girl and subsequent killings

Amnesty International is appalled by the killing of Du’a Khalil Aswad, aged about 17 who was stoned to death on or around 7 April 2007 for a so-called honour crime. A member of Iraq’s Yezidi religious minority from the village of Bahzan in northern Iraq, she was killed by a group of eight or nine men and in the presence of a large crowd in the town of Bashika, near the city of Mosul. Some of her relatives are said to have participated in the killing.

Click here for the complete report.

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 April 29, 2007  Posted by on April 29, 2007 1 Response »

This and That

Apr 292007
 

The Aldermaston Women’s Peace Camp has a wonderful website, treat yourself to an inspiring visit!

Arianna Huffington vivisects Hillary Cintonn’s denial for her own complicity in the Iraq debacle.

So the U.S. gave tacit approval to the continued sexual enslavement of women after the Japanese surrendered.  What is astounding is how long it took for this story to surface.  Don’t look for apologies or reparations anytime soon…

Visit Barbara Ehrenreich’s wonderful blog.

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 April 29, 2007  Posted by on April 29, 2007 Comments Off

Mairead Corrigan Maguire: Israeli Soldiers Attack Peace Vigil

Apr 272007
 

Read Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan Maguire’s account of being attacked by Israeli soldiers during a peace vigil sponsored by Bil’in Peoples Committee, a Palestinian peace group.  As we must ask all too often, in what way does such violence ever make us stronger, safer or free?

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 April 27, 2007  Posted by on April 27, 2007 Comments Off

Riverbend: Leaving Iraq

Apr 272007
 

Throughout the last several years, many of us have been deeply touched by a blog written by a young Iraqi woman who uses the name Riverbend.  Her missives about what life is really like in Baghdad and throughout Iraq have offered a much needed lens of reality to our perceptions.  Her bravery in writing this blog, and her willingness to share her perceptions are inspiring beyond words.

This week Riverbend writes that her family is preparing to leave Iraq.  She talks about the difficulties in doing that, both the logistics and the emotional trauma that it entails.  Please keep this amazing woman and her family in your thoughts as they make their journey to safety.

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 April 27, 2007  Posted by on April 27, 2007 Comments Off
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