Category: Women’s Rights Matter

Pakistan: NWFP: Couple shot dead on jirga’s order — Kala Dhaka

Pakistan: Couple shot dead on jirga’s order — Kala Dhaka
— “A man and a woman who had eloped were executed on a jirga’s order in Kala Dhaka.”
— Tehsildar Jamshed Khan: “There is no other law except the jirga system in the area.”
— “They were required to be presented in a court in Alpuri on May 5.”

Egypt – Convert Woman Arrested for Marrying Christian

Egypt – Convert Woman Arrested for Marrying Christian
— “Christian convert Raheal Henen Mussa and her Coptic husband are hiding from police and her Muslim family for violating an article of Islamic law (sharia) that doesn’t exist in the Egyptian penal code”
— “Mussa’s family took her from police custody on Sunday (April 19), but she escaped from them
on Tuesday (April 21). She and her husband fled Cairo and are in hiding.”

Iraq: In Iraq, a story of rape, shame and ‘honor killing’

(Iraq) In Iraq, a story of rape, shame and ‘honor killing’
— “A young woman imprisoned in Tikrit, north of Baghdad, sent a letter to her brother last summer, appealing for help. The woman, named Dalal, wrote that she was pregnant after being raped by prison guards. The brother asked to visit her. Guards obliged. The brother walked into her cell,
drew a gun and shot his visibly pregnant sister dead.”

Turkey – Extremists Criticize “Feminist” Reporting on So-Called “Honor Killings”

Turkey: “Human rights report plain wrong, according to critics”
— Hurriyet: “The feminist language adopted by the media in news about honor
killings should also be changed, and accurate religious information should take place in the media, according to the report”
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/domestic/11409554.asp?gid=244

Afghan Cleric Defends Rape as “Democratic Right”

Afghan cleric defends marriage law that critics say legalizes marital rape — Mohammad Asif Mohseni
— says law legalizing marital rape and oppression of women justified as “democratic rights”
— asks “What does democracy mean?”
http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/faith/42845637.html
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/apr/11/afghan-cleric-defends-contentious-marriage-law-1/
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL468638.htm
— Comment: refuses to acknowledge that without the universal human rights
of equality and liberty are essential democractic values for a functioning “democracy”

Afghanistan Won’t Legalize Forced Marital Sex, Ambassador Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aU2fFXCtuvVw

Pakistan: Extremists Cleared of Rape of Christian Girl

Pakistan – Suspects in Rape of Christian Girl Cleared
— “Police have declared three Pakistani men innocent of raping a 13-year-old
Christian girl despite eye witness accounts and medical evidence indicating their guilt”
http://www.compassdirect.org/en/display.php?page=news&lang=en&length=short&idelement=5876&backpage=summaries

Pakistan: Eloping Niece Murdered by Extremist Uncle Over “Honor”

(Pakistan) Punjab: Uncle kills eloping niece over ‘honour’
— “A man allegedly killed his teenaged niece on Wednesday morning over ‘honour’ in the Shahdara Police precincts”
— “According to the locals of the area, victim Noreen of Haji Kot area was eloping with her paramour Kamran when Karamat Ali, girl’s uncle, intercepted the couple. They said Kamran fled in his rented car after seeing Karamat, who took the girl to his house and gunned her down. They said the girl’s family tried to hide the fact to avoid legal complications and save the accused, but some neighbour called the police.”
— “The accused is still at large.”

Pakistan: Daughters Murdered by Extremist Father

(Pakistan) Police fail to arrest father – killer of three daughters
— village locals blame wife not reconciling with husband Rafiq as an excuse for husband murdering three daughters…
— “The father of Rafiq told this correspondent that he was not willing to carry any legal action against his son”
— “The old man contended that he did not want to lose his son as he (Rafiq) had no option but to kill his minor daughters”

(Pakistan) Minor girls ‘killed by father’ laid to rest
— 18 month old, 3 year old, and 4 year old girls strangled by father
— “a neighbour of Rafique, told Daily Times the accused was unhappy over having only daughters, and no son”