Freethought & Rationalism Archive

01-03-2003, 09:19 AM

Yes, the Taleban have gone. (Well more or less, anyway.) But the position of many women in Afghanistan is hardly improved at all. See this Human Rights Watch Report http://www.hrw.org/reports/2002/afghnwmn1202/ for details.

I note from a newspaper article that Sima Samar, who was women's minister in the Karzai government, was sacked after some leaders said she was a blasphemer and did not believe in islamic Shari'a law.

Mrs Samar was quoted as saying that the only way for progress to happen would be if donors made aid money conditional on women's rights being recognised and implemented.

If she's right, this is where those of us who care can make a difference by asking our political representatives to do everything possible to support women's rights in Afghanistan.

Quote:

In Kabul, a reconfigured Vice and Virtue Squad (renamed "Islamic Teaching") is now operating. A team of some ninety women under the Ministry of Religious Affairs harasses women in Kabul's streets for "un-Islamic behavior," such as wearing makeup, and, in some instances, follows them home to castigate their parents or spouses. Women have reported being harassed and threatened by unidentified men for discarding particular aspects of the Taliban-mandated dress code. In October 2002 a woman told Human Rights Watch how she and her brother were stopped by police in Kabul, briefly detained, and accused of being lovers.

Outside of Kabul, women and girls have faced serious threats to their physical safety, including sexual violence. In the north, three rival forces have committed abuses against Pashtun civilians, including raping entire households and girls as young as fourteen. In the south during the loya jirga process in May and June, local commanders threatened women candidates and allowed their troops to harass women and girls in areas under their control. During the loya jirga meeting itself, warlords from across the country monitored and threatened women delegates. Also in May and June around the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif, factional rivalry between local commanders contributed to targeted attacks on women aid workers and rapes of women and children in displacement camps that had become militarized. The very threat of this type of violence denies them the opportunity to exercise their basic human rights and to participate fully in the rebuilding of their country.

Even the much lauded restoration of the right to education is under attack. Schools for girls have been attacked with rockets or set on fire in at least five provinces: Kandahar, Sar-e Pol, Zabul, Logar, and Wardak. Local forces have done little to prevent these attacks.

never been there · 01-03-2003, 07:01 PM

Remember - people initially supported the Taliban because they were the ONLY private army in Afghanistan that punished rapists, even among their own ranks.

Now the West has put back in power the people who made the Taliban look good by comparison.

Anti-Creedance Front · 01-03-2003, 09:26 PM

The Shari'a must go. For women and all other people to be freed from oppression, all Shari'a governments must be eliminated. It won't work if you just "change" them. No religious government can ever be a good thing.

Just Another Infidel · 01-04-2003, 03:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anti-Creedance Front
The Shari'a must go. For women and all other people to be freed from oppression, all Shari'a governments must be eliminated. It won't work if you just "change" them. No religious government can ever be a good thing.

There is an e-mail newsletter which reports on Sharia happenings around the world. You can read past issues here .

JAI

Anti-Creedance Front · 01-04-2003, 02:03 PM

Thanks, I'll sign up for it for sure.

Radorth · 01-05-2003, 09:54 AM

Old Russian joke:

Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under Communism, it's vice versa.

(We do know however that some Russian soldiers raped so many German women after WWII, their officers were forced to shoot them.)

Rad

Yellum Notnef · 01-05-2003, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Radorth
Old Russian joke:

Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under Communism, it's vice versa.

Rad

And under a govt based on the Christian bible we would all live in peaceful bliss and harmony for ever and ever.

Btw,
Communism is NOT atheism and you`ve ALREADY tried (and FAILED) attacking us from this angle.

Radorth · 01-06-2003, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Communism is NOT atheism

No kidding. Try quoting me in full sometime Fenton, if you want to give me a heart attack.

Rad

Toto · 01-06-2003, 10:08 AM

Communism vs capitalism is off topic here.

Yellum Notnef · 01-06-2003, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Radorth
No kidding. Try quoting me in full sometime Fenton, if you want to give me a heart attack.

Rad

Why did you make that comment? What the hell did it have to do with the OP besides being a chance for you to attack atheists again?

And why would I want you to have a heart attack? I would like it if you`d shut up,but I wish you no harm.

And would you rather I had qouted the rest of what you said?

Quote:

(We do know however that some Russian soldiers raped so many German women after WWII, their officers were forced to shoot them.)

There are you happy now? Now you really look like an angry and bitter little man waiting for any chance you get to take a swipe at all things nonChristian.

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01-03-2003, 07:01 PM	#2
never been there Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 2,144	Remember - people initially supported the Taliban because they were the ONLY private army in Afghanistan that punished rapists, even among their own ranks. Now the West has put back in power the people who made the Taliban look good by comparison.

01-03-2003, 09:26 PM	#3
Anti-Creedance Front Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 452	The Shari'a must go. For women and all other people to be freed from oppression, all Shari'a governments must be eliminated. It won't work if you just "change" them. No religious government can ever be a good thing.

01-04-2003, 02:03 PM	#5
Anti-Creedance Front Regular Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 452	Thanks, I'll sign up for it for sure.

01-05-2003, 09:54 AM	#6
Radorth Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,872	Old Russian joke: Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under Communism, it's vice versa. (We do know however that some Russian soldiers raped so many German women after WWII, their officers were forced to shoot them.) Rad

01-06-2003, 10:08 AM	#9
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Communism vs capitalism is off topic here.

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