Tag Archives: women

25Feb/11

Iran & rights: another UN farce

By MEHRTASH RASTEGAR & NIR BOMS

New York Post

While the Iranian police are using tear gas and electric prods to crack down on antigovernment protesters, the UN Commission on the Status of Women is preparing to welcome the Islamic Republic as its newest member when its 56th session gets under way in New York today.

Iran will sit on the commission for a four-year term — though it certainly ranks among countries least able to judge the actions of others on the “elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child” and “gender equality,” two commission themes. Beyond its violence against protesters (including women), there is its adamant refusal to ratify the key international women’s-rights law — the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women — and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s recent statement that feminism is “a cry of protest from crushed women in a capitalistic system.”

Indeed, many laws and practices in Iran violate the sanctity of women, the proper treatment of girls and gender equality, purporting to rely on religious principles.

A few examples:

Continue reading

15Jun/10

Iran’s War on Women

As many of us begin to celebrate the coming of summer, AFP reports that 71 women have been detained over the past three months for being “improperly dressed” while attempting to board planes.  Additional 87,714 warnings were issued to  women during the last three months since their  hair was not  properly covered, AFP reports.  The Mullas are certainly busy counting. And this is the vision that the  new elected member of  U.N.’s Commission on the Status of Women is planning to bring to our world.  You may follow the original  link here.

By NIR BOMS AND SHAYAN ARYA , Wall Street Journal

This past Saturday marked the first anniversary of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s fraudulent reelection, which sparked Iran’s Green Movement and its demands for accountability, democracy and human rights. The regime’s response was one of naked aggression. Opposition activists were murdered on the streets or sentenced to death in kangaroo courts. Thousands were arrested and brutally beaten. Just over a month ago, on May 9, five political prisoners, including female activist Shirin Alam Holi, were executed in secret. Not even their families or lawyers were notified beforehand. At least 25 other men and women await the same fate.

Continue reading