Dear Working Group Members,
You have sent many suggestions for resources to the Working Group. We have
compiled them here for the period 24-30 June. We hope these resources will
be useful in your efforts to end violence against women.
Thanks again for all your messages!
Warm regards,
the Moderators
******************
RESOURCES SUBMITTED TO
THE END-VIOLENCE WORKING GROUP
24 - 30 JUNE 2002
Contents
A. ARTICLES/NEWS
1. Mullahs' regime rejects any change in Iran's discriminatory child
custody law
2. Iran: 13 women flogged in Qom / 13 femmes fouett�es � Qom
3. Human trafficking report on south-eastern Europe to be issued in Yugoslavia
B. URGENT ALERT
4. After Safyia, Amina Lawal - Good news but one last effort needed to
secure her freedom
C. PUBLICATIONS
5. Guide for for Rape Victims / Guia para Victimas de Violacion
6. New Website on Reproductive Health and Rights
7. Call for Manuscripts on Rape and the Rape Culture
************************************************************
A. ARTICLES/NEWS
1. Mullahs' regime rejects any change in Iran's discriminatory child
custody law
Rejection seen as another sign of inherent misogyny of religious dictatorship
The Guardian Council of the mullahs' regime in Iran has rejected a
proposal to change the current child custody law and give divorced
mothers custody of boys and girls up to the age of seven. The council
ruled out any changes to the current law, which gives mothers custody
of boys up to the age of two and girls up to the age of seven, using
the pretext that any change would "violate religious law."
The clerical regime's child custody law is a flagrant example of
institutionalized and legalized discrimination against women by the
ruling religious dictatorship. The civil code produced by the mullahs
grossly discriminates against women, turning the issue of child
custody into a lever for men to terrorize and pressure women and
mothers and turn the family into a locus of torture and humiliation
for women.
The United Nations Special Representative for the human rights
situation in Iran described the flagrant gender discrimination in the
mullahs' laws as "very strange indeed" in his report to the UN Human
Rights Commission earlier this year. In the past five years, 16 women
have been condemned to death by stoning; four women are languishing
in jail, waiting to be stoned to death.
Women's Committee
National Council of Resistance of Iran
June 28, 2002
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2. Iran: 13 women flogged in Qom / 13 femmes fouett�es � Qom
vous trouvez ci-joint le texte en fran�ais
- 13 women flogged in Qom
The state-run daily, Seday-e Edalat, reported yesterday that 13 women
were flogged in the city of Qom. Among them were three pairs of
sisters. They were each sentenced to 180 lashes.
Flogging women for "prostitution" and "drinking alcohol" and issuing
these kinds of barbaric sentences against women come from mullahs who
themselves run prostitution and drug trafficking rings and are
involved in smuggling women and girls to neighboring countries. The
Iranian Resistance has revealed the names of some of these mullahs.
The Women's Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
calls on international human rights and women's rights organizations
to urge the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the
coming session of the General Assembly of the United Nations and
other relevant international forums and organizations to take
effective measures and adopt resolutions condemning evil crimes of
the mullahs against Iranian women.
Women's Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
July 1, 2002
****
13 femmes fouett�es � Qom
Le quotidien officiel Sedaye-e-Edalat a rapport hier que 13 femmes
ont �t� fouett�es dans la ville de Qom, dont trois groupes de soeurs.
Elles ont chacune �t� condamn�es � 180 coups de fouet.
La flagellation de femmes pour "prostitution" et "consommation
d'alcool" et ce genre de ch�timents barbares contre les femmes,
viennent des mollahs qui dirigent eux-m�mes des r�seaux de
prostitution et de trafic de drogue et sont impliqu�s dans la traite
de femmes et de filles vers des pays voisins. La R�sistance iranienne
a r�v�l� le nom de certains de ces mollahs.
La commission des femmes du Conseil national de la R�sistance
iranienne, appelle les organismes de d�fense des droits de l'homme et
des femmes dans le monde � agir aupr�s du Haut commissaire des
Nations Unies, de la prochaine session de l'Assembl�e g�n�rale des
Nations Unies et des autres organes internationaux comp�tent pour
qu'ils prennent des mesures efficaces et adoptent des r�solutions
condamnant ces crimes des mollahs contre les femmes en Iran.
Commission des Femmes du Conseil national de la R�sistance iranienne
Le 1 juillet 2002
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3. Human trafficking report on south-eastern Europe to be issued in Yugoslavia
BELGRADE, 27 June 2002 � Presentation of the regional report on trafficking
in south-eastern Europe will take place on Friday, 28 June, in the OSCE
Mission to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY).
The Report is a joint project of the OSCE Office for Democratic
Institutions and Human Rights (ODHIR), Office of the UN High Commissioner
for Human Rights (UN HCHR) and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
under the auspices of the Stability Pact Anti-trafficking Task Force.
The report identifies obstacles to adequate protection and support of
victims and includes a set of recommendations for improving the current
response by state authorities, non-governmental and international
organizations. These recommendations include: the development of clear
human rights standards for the treatment of trafficked persons and special
protection of victims and their referral to appropriate support agencies, a
standard protocol for the behavior of law enforcement agencies,
international organizations and NGOs dealing with trafficked persons, with
special procedures for children.
Ambassador Stefano Sannino, Head of the OSCE Mission to the FRY, will
initiate the presentation of the report. Mr. Richard Towle, Chief of the UN
HCHR Mission in the FRY, as well as Mr. Jean Michel Delmotte, Head of the
UNICEF office in the FRY, will take part in the presentation.
Presentation starts at 10:30 in the OSCE premises, Bulevar Mira 26.
Complete report will be distributed to media representatives at the conference.
The full report (in English) can be downloaded from:
http://www.unicef.org/sexual-exploitation/trafficking-see.pdf [PDF file]
Latests New about OSCE
--------------
C. URGENT ALERT
4. After Safyia, Amina Lawal - Good news but one last effort needed to
secure her freedom
(reposted from the SOS-SEXISME list)
Nigeria : Amina LAWAL
The International Secretariat of OMCT (World Organization Against
Torture) has received new information concerning the case of
Amina Lawal who was sentenced to death by stoning by a Sharia
court in Katsina State in Nigeria.
New information
According to information received, on 3 June 2002, the Sharia court
at Funtua in Katsina State, Northern Nigeria ordered the conditional
release, until January 2003, of Amina Lawal.
Ms. Lawal has been authorized to return to her village in order to
care for her daughter who is currently aged 6 months. The court has
stated that the decision in relation to her conditional release is
independent of the decision in her appellate hearing which is
expected to be handed down on 8 July.
Amina Lawal's lawyer has heralded the decision as a first step
towards her acquittal. Mr. Aliyu Musa Yawuri reportedly stated in an
interview with the French news agency Agence France Presse (AFP) that
he "has no fear that his client will not be freed at the end of her
appeal proceedings."
Brief reminder of the Situation
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against
Torture (OMCT) is deeply concerned by the sentencing to death by
stoning of 30 year-old Amina Lawal.
According to information received from reliable sources, on Friday 22
March 2002, a Sharia court at Bakori in Katsina State sentenced Ms.
Lawal to death after she confessed to having had a child while
divorced. The man named as the father of her baby girl reportedly
denied having sex with her and the charges against him were
discontinued. In those Northern Nigerian states that apply Sharia
law, pregnancy outside of marriage constitutes sufficient evidence to
enable a woman to be convicted of adultery. Under the applicable
procedural rules, Amina Lawal has 30 days in which to appeal her
sentence.
Importantly, this most recent sentence of death by stoning for
alleged adultery was handed down three days before a Sharia court in
Sokoto State upheld the appeal by 35 year-old Safiya Husseini Tungar
Tudu who had also been convicted of adultery and sentenced to death
by stoning. The case of Safiya Husseini elicited a strong reaction
from both the Federal government of Nigeria, international
inter-governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations.
The Federal Minister of Justice, Kanu Agabi has reportedly written to
the governors of each of the 12 northern Nigerian states that apply
Sharia law advising them to "take measures to amend or modify the
jurisdiction of the courts imposing these [corporal] punishments."
OMCT is deeply concerned for the physical and psychological integrity
of Amina Lawal and unreservedly condemns the use of corporal
punishment which clearly violates international human rights
standards that prohibit the use of torture. OMCT would like to recall
that the government of Nigeria is a State Party to international
human rights instruments which prohibit and punish torture including;
the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights. In addition, Nigeria is a Party to the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women which
prohibits violence and other forms of discrimination against women.
Action requested
Please write to the Nigerian authorities urging them to:
i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Amina
Lawal and her family;
ii. take all necessary measures to secure respect for the rule of law
in Nigeria which includes respect for the prohibition on torture and
cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment, such as the
practice of corporal punishment;
iii. guarantee women their human rights, including their right to be
free from discrimination and their right to be free from torture and
inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment;
iv. ensure in all circumstances the full respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national and international
standards.
Addresses:
His Exellency Olusegun Obasanjo, President of the Republic, The
Presidency, Federal Secretariat
Phase II, Shehu Shagari Way,Abuja; Fax: 234 9 523 21 36 (press
office), Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Alhaji Sule Lamido, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maputo Street , Zone
3 Wuse District, Abuja, Nigeria ; Fax: 234 9 523 02 08.
Kanu Godwin Agabi, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, New
Federal Secretariat complex
Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria; Fax:
234 9 523 52 08.
Alhaji Uman Musa Yar'adua, Governor, Office of the Military
Administrator, Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria.
The Embassy of Nigeria in your respective countries. (In CANADA:
Nigerian High Commission, 295 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa, Ontario
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Elsewhere, check the
Nigeria Web site.)
from : OMCT
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this
appeal in your reply :Case NGA 250302.2 VAW
Follow up to Case NGA 250302.1 VAW
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - Torture
(please pass on)
SOS SEXISME List-Subscribe: mail to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
--------------
D. PUBLICATIONS
5. Guide for for Rape Victims/Guia para Victimas de Violacion
Special for Rape Victims, a guide for rape victims and for all who want to
help them.
http://www.justicewomen.com/help_special_rape.html
Especial para Victimas de Violacion, una guia para victimas de violacion y
las personas que desean ayudarlas.
http://www.justicewomen.com/help_special_rape_sp.html
Marie De Santis
Women's Justice Center
Centro de Justicia Para Mujeres
Bilingual (Spanish) Website:
www.justicewomen.com
250 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Tel. (707) 575-3150
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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6. New Website on Reproductive Health and Rights
The Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) has launched its new
website!!! CHANGE works to advance a reproductive health and rights agenda
within US international population and health policies and programs. Visit
our new site for information about our work, analyses, research and
publications on a range of reproductive and sexual health and rights
issues, including:
* Informed Choice
* Gender-sensitive STI and HIV prevention strategies
* Gender-based violence
* Health sector reforms and reproductive health services
Sign up to be on our mailing list. And check back regularly as we update
the site daily. Also check out these new publications and resources:
The Global Gender-Based Violence Program Directory contains information on
individuals, programs and organizations working on gender-based violence
and reproductive health throughout the world. The directory was compiled
through an ongoing mapping survey as part of a broader program of work
under CHANGE's Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Health Program.
We hope that by making the Directory available online, individuals and
organizations around the globe will be able to share their experiences,
strategies and stories in developing efforts to better integrate GBV and RH
and, in so doing, enhance the overall health, safety and status of women
world-wide. Use the directory, and let us know what you think--your
feedback is essential in helping us make it an ever more useful
resource. If you haven't yet filled out a survey and/or been included in
the Directory, please return our survey in English or Spanish, available in
the Directory, and we'll "put you on the map!". Find out more about the
survey and our work on gender violence and reproductive health at
www.genderhealth.org.
The Quinacrine Debate and Beyond: Exploring the Challenges of Reproductive
Health Technology Development and Introduction. Hailed by some as a
breakthrough, rejected by others as a method associated with risks and
coercion, the use of Quinacrine as a non-surgical method of sterilization
has become embroiled in controversy. Find out more at www.genderhealth.org
Let us hear from you!!!!
Jodi L. Jacobson, Executive Director
Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE)
6930 Carroll Avenue
Suite 910
Takoma Park, Maryland 20912 USA
Phone: (301) 270-1182
Fax: (301) 270-2052
www.genderhealth.org
e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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7. Call for Manuscripts on Rape and the Rape Culture
off our backs, the longest-running feminist newsjournal in the United States,
is calling for manuscripts on the topic of rape and the rape culture.
Articles can address any aspect of the epidemic of rape in the world
including: rape pornography, rape in war, date rape, rape from an
international perspective, effective or ineffective ways we respond to rape,
what feminists are doing to end rape, how effective rape crisis centers are,
how to work towards the eradication of rape rather than simply treating its
aftermath, etc.
Manuscript submisssion guidelines can be found at www.offourbacks.org. Word
count is flexible, but generally from 600 to 2500 words is preferable.
Deadline is July 15, 2002.
Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] for more information.
Karla Mantilla
off our backs newsjournal
www.offourbacks.org
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