By Fatima al-Talaqani
Some political parties seem to have taken the law into their own hands by issuing directives not only for their members to follow but for the public at large.
And it is sad to see that their instructions are mainly directed at women, the forgotten victims of the post-Saddam Hussein era.
Women across the country are threatened with grave consequences if they fail to wear the hijab or headscarf.
There are reports of many women being harassed, molested and even disfigured for leaving homes without hijab.
These threats and actions constitute a serious violation of personal freedoms.
And it is regrettable to see that these actions and threats are perpetrated by major religious parties which are fully represented in the interim government and the national assembly.
While these parties may have the right to impose their tenets and rules on their own members, under no circumstances they should be allowed to force their way of life on a whole nation.
http://www.azzaman.com/english/index.asp?fname=editorial\2004-11-25\10160.htm