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Iran urged to free women's rights activist
Posted Sat Nov 10, 2007 11:00pm AEDT
Seven human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have called on authorities in Iran to set aside a sentence passed on Iranian women's rights activist Delaram Ali.
She has been sentenced to 2.5 years in jail and a flogging for taking part in a peaceful demonstration last year calling for greater rights for women under Iran's Islamic legal system.
Ms Ali has been free while awaiting the result of an appeal, but she has now been told to give herself up by today so the sentence can be implemented.
Several other women have also been sentenced to prison terms because of the demonstration.
They are currently free waiting the outcome of their appeals.
Human rights workers say the Iranian authorities have been harassing members of the group because they have been attempting to collect a million signatures in support of a petition demanding the end of laws that they say discriminate against women.
Human Rights Watch is among the groups calling for Ms Ali's release.
Its Middle East spokeswoman is Sarah Leah Whitson.
"In this case they are actually going to put her in prison they say, to serve a two-and-a-half-year sentence, which is a new level of intimidation and threat and punishment that we haven't seen against these very young women's rights activists," she said.
- BBC
In 2002, following immense pressure, the
government introduced the 'domestic
violence rule' in immigration law, which
states that if a person married or living with
a settled partner can provide specific
evidence to demonstrate that she/he is a
victim of domestic violence and meet other
conditions, she/he can remain in the UK
indefinitely. But for a significant number of
women, the existence of the 'no recourse
to public funds' requirement in immigration
and welfare law, prevents them from
making use of the domestic violence rule
because they cannot access safe housing
or benefits to escape domestic violence.
The result is that they are faced with a
stark choice, leave and face destitution or
stay and risk their lives.
The 'no recourse' requirement bars anyone
entering the UK on the basis of marriage
from relying on public housing or benefits
until their immigration position is
regularised. This forces women into
positions of economic dependency on the
settled spouse or partner. The result is
sheer desperation on the part of the
individual and their advisors.
Southall Black Sisters
for more information to support the campaign to abolish no recourse to public funds check out
southallblacksisters@btconnect.com
www.southallblacksisters.org.uk
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.” ~ Oprah WinfreyWishing you the most purposeful and prosperous New Year!
Coach Carolyn
Messages From Supporters
• Congratulation............brilliant we have waited a long long time..............good luck
• Keep up the good work, may we be united to change the world in which we live.
• There's a feeling of momentum building around this march - really exciting and timely that this is happening
• Thank you to all of you who have put the hard work in to create this coalition. Feminism seems to have been hit by a wave of female apathy over the past couple of decades but in my opinion the situation for women is still poor we may have a more equal standing in the workplace, but what with the rise of the 'lads mag'and an increasing 'laissez faire' public attitude towards pornography objectification of women has never been worse. Lets hope that this movement can start to turn the tables by raising public awareness of the persisting inequalities and instigating women across the globe to start demanding change.
• We offer wholehearted support to this event, and will be offering support as apropriate. Men who support the march can help build our organisation the white ribbon Campaign dedicated to getting men to pledge never to comit, condonne or remain silent about violence against women. www.whiteribboncampaign.co.uk
• Looking foward to the march.
• All women should be entitled to live free of violence and intimidation and AviD are happy to support such an excellent cause.
• I, like many other women, have experienced domestic violence. Attitudes must be changed so that it is as unacceptable as assaulting a stranger in the street.
• Here here!
• I strongly support your objectives but wonder whether it is effective to pursue so many at once
• For far too long male violence against women has been ignored, condoned and justified. For too long women's voices have been silenced. For too long women of differing cultures, ethnicities, sexualities, able/disabled and class have been subjected to centuries of misogyny by men. It is time male violence was seen as not men's right but an abuse of all women's human rights.
• I give my whole hearted support and as a supporter of the white ribbon campaign will do what ever i can to help
• Each one teach one!
• I am an American national planning on celebrating IWD in the London.
• A million women rising x
• I have broken free. I wish there had been more help for me when I needed it, but at least I made it out alive. Lots don't. I will be marching for them.
• Hii I want to support you but I am a little concerned about the practicalities. Are there any coaches from shropshire? I couldnt drive to London. I am a little nervous about coming on my own too. Any ideas? Thanks,
• I support the Statement of Demands!
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