Women Senators Call on Bush to Push for Women's Rights in Iraqi Constituti

[sabra]

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http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=9203

Women Senators Call on Bush to Push for Women's Rights in Iraqi Constitution

Eleven women Senators sent a letter to President Bush yesterday expressing their concerns that the draft Iraqi constitution includes provisions that "may jeopardize the rights of Iraqi women." Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Hillary R. Clinton (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Blanche L. Lincoln (D-AR), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Patty Murray (D-WA), Olympia Snowe (R-ME) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) cited recent comments by the United States Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad, that the United States will work to guarantee equality in the new constitution in urging Bush to “continue to express our support for a constitution that would maintain rights for women and equality for all Iraqis.”

Just two weeks ago, approximately 200 women staged a protest in Baghdad to demand full equality in the new constitution. Activists have also met with constitutional committee members to lobby for women’s rights. The current draft constitution would allow Islam to play an important role in the making of civil law. While Shiite Muslim leaders are promoting a larger role for Islam, women’s rights groups express concerns about provisions that would take away rights they already enjoy, including inheritance and divorce rights for women. Iraqi activist Hanaa Edwar said, “We are a pluralistic society and this constitution will determine our future. It is crucial for us. We cannot allow it to move us backwards and make a mockery of conventions that Iraq has signed on human rights,” reports BBC News.

In her statement about the letter to Bush, Senator Barbara Mikulski said, “Iraqi women make up 65 percent of Iraq’s population and will play a vital role in its reconstruction. We cannot allow them to be left behind as Iraq begins to rebuild and transition to democracy.”

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[deadparrot]

1. Yeah, I'm sure he'll give that a lot of thought...

while he's, you know, clearing the brush. :eyes:

[DURHAM D]

2. What a shock - Senator Dole did not sign on. eom

[The Witch]

3. Where's Mizz Texxxasss one wonders :D

[aintitfunny]

4. Dole, Murkouski and Hutchinson

apparently do not support rights for Iraqi women.

[stepnw1f]

5. Yes... Women Should Be Allowed to Participate in a Fascist State Too!

Well... cynicism aside. It's a start I suppose.

[wallwriter]

8. Um, which fascist state are you referring to?

[stepnw1f]

10. Irack (nt)

[mntleo2]

6. HopeThey Get It, We Are Still Waiting...

I mean we have never passed our own equality bill, and we have never had a woman president, the highest poverty rate in this country is among women, and women are not even tested in many researches such as in AIDS treatment(our metabolism is different and drugs may affect us differently). So, we still have a long way to go. I am not saying these women should not have equality, but we should expect the men who are in power to also help to clean up our own house if we expect anyone to listen.

My 2 cents

Cat In Seattle

[AmandaRuth]

7. YEAH Cantwell and Murray!

They have had some votes lately, that shall I say, I disagreed with? Glad to see their names included on this list.

[enigma000]

9. I do hope they push for womens rights

The US government and the Western world in general cannot be silent on this issue. Women's rights are so key.

Found this website for those interested:

http://themiddleground.blogspot.com/2005/08/back-in-fight-defending-freedom-and.html

PS: "Iraqi women make up 65 percent of Iraq’s population" ? um...this can't be all the coalition's fault......

[Warren Stupidity]

11. were they going to ask for similar guarantees in our constitution?

I thought not.

By the way, there is absolutely no evidence that Iraq is beginning to rebuild and transition to democracy. Furthermore, it is actually none of our business what the Iraqis decide to put in their constitution.

I've got a better idea: how about we get out of Iraq now and leave them alone?

[enigma000]

12. Why, does your constitution need them?

Just asking about the guarantees. This is about Iraqi rights, and I think after the number of US dead and wounded it would concern the US of A.

[Warren Stupidity]

13. well last I looked there is no such guarantee in our constitution

But nevermind that.

You said: "This is about Iraqi rights, and I think after the number of US dead and wounded it would concern the US of A".

So just hypothetically here, suppose that the Iraqis adopt a constitution that establishes islamic law, an islamic republic along iranian lines. Would you then suggest that we continue killing Iraqis and continue to lose our own soldiers in order to force the Iraqis to bend to our will?

[enigma000]

14. Not my nation's soldiers

My country isn't part of the coalition of the willing(tm)so I (and my countrymen) have much, much less invested. But, in a straight answer to your question, should your hypothetical situation come about, I would council acceptance of any constitution adopted by the citizens of Iraq.

I'm just saying it isn't unacceptable to lend moral support and pressure when possible. . .

[Warren Stupidity]

15. Oh sure we agree on the moral support part.

However I am highly suspicious of any demands or admonitions from the US government regarding the Iraqi constitution. Basically the US government has no moral authority to demand or admonish them about anything. We wrecked their country with our illegal and immoral invasion. We should shut up and get out.

My concern is that the next phase of "why we are continuing to occupy Iraq and kill lots of Iraqis" will be justified by various unacceptable attributes of the shiite-dominated government that we created and that is almost surely headed to some for of Iranian-style islamic republic. I am allergic to anything that looks like it is lending support to our continued presence there.

[enigma000]

16. Fair enough

The US government does lack....what's the word? credibility. I think any "moral support" should come from private individuals not the the State or Defense Departments.

Agreed that this coming Iranian-style islamic republic, as you say, should not be the pretext for continued occupation. Once asked formally to leave, (and I expect this will be soon in the new year)the US and friends should clear out hastily.

oops: Quitting time - good chatting!

[enigma000]

17. < sigh >

women's rights. . . .

no champion defends them. So sad.

[Warren Stupidity]

18. was that intentional irony?

Besides, I thought you quit for the night :-)

[AuntiBush]

19. Good for Senator Mikulski and the other women, yet

sadly, I sit here and wonder just how many "Iraqi women" are no longer on this earth now to enjoy any such freedoms, much less to protest for them - after we bombed them back past the stone ages.

[Warren Stupidity]

20. and of course under the evil saddam...

Women in secular baathist Iraq were doing better than in most other middle eastern states.

So we toppled the secular government, opened the door for an Iranian-style islamic republic, and then have the unmitigated gall to demand that the new ayatollahs adhere to western style human-rights. As imperialists we are delusional.

Wait until we get to the part where the ayatollahs don't really want to sell of the Iraqi oil fields to our global oil companies. Then the shit will officially hit the fan.

[AuntiBush]

24. Exactly, Warren. At least they were "alive."

Doesn't take a rocket-scientist to comprehend these women, children and men will never know any form of Democracy. Matter-of-fact, we don't either, anymore.

On Note about the Shit(e) hitting the ole fan: The way the weekend news appears, I think that's already happened.

Of course, there are 80 wealthy millionaires determined to help us out of this mess. Not rich by any means, but I'll send them all my change and some. Check this out: http://news.yahoo.com/s/washpost/20050807/pl_washpost/rich_liberals_vow_to_fund_think_tanks

[wildwww2]

21. Bu$h will push bunny rabbits out his butt. Before he pushes for women`s

rights. And that would pertain to anywhere on the freaking planet.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[brooklynite]

22. C'mon now...

Its not like we would ever interfere in another country's sovereign affairs...

[Javaman]

23. But..but..but...I thought pickels was going to take that on????

[barb162]

25. This is so damned important to half the population

but I can't see what Bush can do. He will look like he is telling them how to write their constitution. It is so strange for American women troops to be there risking their necks and to be protecting the new government when they put in anti-women /sharia muck. These women may end up with more rights under Saddam than under a duly-elected government.

[alarcojon]

26. calling attention to Iraqi women's efforts

Is a very good thing.My hat is off to the senators (even the repugs)who
are involved.

I understand the point about not interfering further in Iraq's affairs,but neither can we,who started this mess,sit by and watch Iraqi women's rights go back fifty years.Let's help these women in their courageous struggle in every way we can.