NEWS: Iraqi women say freedoms are slipping away

[Bluebear]

Women's rights activists in Iraq say rising extremism is restricting their freedom, even as the country prepares to vote on a constitution that is touted as one of the Arab world's most progressive regarding women.

"Women cannot walk freely out in the street," said activist Ban Jamil, who directs the Rasafa Branch of Assyrian Women Union, a local non-governmental organisation in Baghdad.

"Women face lack of respect when they walk uncovered," said Jamil, a Christian, who said women are insulted if they show too much skin or walk in public without wearing the Islamic veil, or hijab, to cover their hair.

She blamed "imported extremist doctrines, which were never experienced in the past" for the new restrictions. The tide of Islamisation has risen in Iraq as fundamentalist Shiite parties have come to power following the ouster of former dictator Saddam Hussein....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20050924/lf_afp/iraqwomen_050924210845&printer=1

"Oh well, ya win some ya lose some heh heh heh. Heh heh heh."

[Cocoa]

1. Mr. PNAC, the consequences of this?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8926876/

MR. GREGORY: Mr. Gerecht, the consequences of this?

MR. GERECHT: Actually, I'm not terribly worried about this. I mean, one hopes that the Iraqis protect women's social rights as much as possible. It certainly seems clear that in protecting the political rights, there's no discussion of women not having the right to vote. I think it's important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then. In 1900, women did not have the right to vote. If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we'd all be thrilled. I mean, women's social rights are not critical to the evolution of democracy. We hope they're there. I think they will be there. But I think we need to put this into perspective.

[etherealtruth]

3. "I mean, women's social rights are not critical ...

... to the evolution of democracy."

"I think it's important to remember that in the year 1900, for example, in the United States, it was a democracy then. In 1900, women did not have the right to vote. If Iraqis could develop a democracy that resembled America in the 1900s, I think we'd all be thrilled."

Hmmmm, the rights of 1/2 of the population are not critical ... ?

"We" would be thrilled if 1/2 of the population didn't have the right to vote ...

Would it be OK if the 1/2 of the population that didn't have rights, couldn't vote were a group other than women? Of course it wouldn't; why would anyone think that this is OK?

[Bluebear]

9. Purple fingers and black-and-blue marks. nt

[cynatnite]

4. oppress the women, beat the women, kill the women...

but, they've got the right to vote...that's what's important

:sarcasm:

[etherealtruth]

5. Perhaps they won't have to educate women either

:sarcasm:

[cynatnite]

6. It's starting to look like the Taliban part deux

:cry:

[I_Make_Mistakes]

7. GERECHT is the biggest dbag I have ever watched. He is a

self appointed (righteous) weenie dog. When he is on, I can't switch the channel fast enough. The good news is, there is a LOT of tape on these MORANS!

[opihimoimoi]

2. The War on IGNORANCE is never easy, never won by steps not taken

Come, we go fight Ignorance

[welshTerrier2]

8. Medea Benjamin

Medea Benjamin, who has made 5 trips to Iraq, spoke at Boston College last Monday night ... here's an excerpt from my write-up of her speech about the effects of the invasion on Iraqi women:

"Medea elaborated on the recent history of women in Iraq ... she said that even before Saddam came to power, woman had made great strides there ... Iraq had many women judges and lawyers, students and various types of professional workers ... all that has ended since the US invasion and occupation ... the US occupation has significantly strengthened the hand of religious fundamentalists who have been far more repressive to women's rights ... women who had previously been politically active and able to publically petition for their rights are no longer safe doing so ... the new constitution is "ambiguous" as to the role of Islamic law ... Benjamin pointed out that the result of this is that women's rights will clearly NOT be protected under the new government ..."