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A few months ago, Iranian student and activist Peyman Piran finally escaped persecution in Iran after enduring a protracted campaign of political persecution. He left his home in hopes of being granted political asylum in a more progressive country.
At the moment, Peyman sits in a detention center in Norway awaiting a decision which could ultimately return him to Iran. If – like many other refugees – Peyman is returned to Iran, his life will be in grave danger once again. Please send appeals to the headquarters of the Norwegian Refugee Council and other diplomatic representatives of Norway accredited in your country.
Norwegian Refugee Council: PO Box 6758 St. Olavs Plass, 0130 Oslo Phone.: +(47) 23 10 98 00 Fax.: + (47) 23 10 98 01 E-mail: nrc@nrc.no
Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington (US) 2720 34th Street NW Washington, DC 20008 Tel: (202) 333-6000 Fax: (202) 337-0870 E-mail: emb.washington@mfa.no
Royal Norwegian Embassy (UK) 25 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8QD Telephone 020 7591 5500 Fax: 020 7245 6993 E-mail: emb.london@mfa.no
For a complete list of contact information for Norway’s embassies and Consulates General, visit this link: http://www.norway.info/splash.aspx
During World War II, filmmaker Frank Capra directed a series of films commissioned by the U.S. Government. The series was called Why We Fightand the films proved to be an effective tool to combat the far-reaching propaganda machine of Nazi Germany. I have to admit that I still enjoy watching a couple of the episodes from Why We Fight every once in a while. I am particularly fond of The Battle of Russia with its detailed assessment of the Soviets’ defense of the USSR including some decent segments regarding the battles at Leningrad and Stalingrad. The Battle of China is very interesting as well and it even includes some brief yet rare film footage of Dr. Sun Yat-sen.
Some recent news about new events in Afghanistan and Iraq have led me to reflect a little on what it might look like if someone set out to compile an updated edition of the Why We Fight films. I think it would be a very different and a very sobering experience given what I have read as of late.
Here’s a bit on the “improving” situation in Afghanistan:
A controversial law condoning marital rape and reintroducing Taleban-era rules for Afghan women has been shelved after an outcry in the West.
The Afghan Foreign Ministry said that the law had not been enacted, while Justice Ministry officials said that its contents might be reconsidered. The legislation was put on hold pending a review.
“The Justice Ministry is reviewing the law to make sure it is in line with the Afghan Government’s commitment to human rights and women rights conventions,” Sultan Ahmad Baheen, a spokesman for the ministry in Kabul, said.
The British Government expressed alarm at the law, which applies to the 15 per cent of the Afghan population that is Shia Muslim. President Obama called the law “abhorrent” at the Nato summit in Strasbourg last week.
[...]
One of the most controversial articles stipulates that the wife “is bound to preen for her husband as and when he desires”.
Later the law explicitly sanctions marital rape. “As long as the husband is not travelling, he has the right to have sexual intercourse with his wife every fourth night,” Article 132 says. “Unless the wife is ill or has any kind of illness that intercourse could aggravate, the wife is bound to give a positive response to the sexual desires of her husband.”
Article 133 reintroduces the Taleban restrictions on women’s movements outside their homes, stating: “A wife cannot leave the house without the permission of the husband” unless in a medical or other emergency.
Article 27 endorses child marriage with girls legally able to marry once they begin to menstruate.
The law also withholds from the woman the right to inherit her husband’s wealth. (full article)
It is, of course, good news that the government of Afghanistan is now "reviewing" their newest incarnation of Sharia law after facing an unprecedented criticism from virtually every corner of the globe. But some things are not so easily undone with a simple campaign or a review. Consider the recent tragic events in the “new” Iraq:
Six gay men were shot dead by members of their tribe in two separate incidents in the past 10 days, an official with Iraq's Interior ministry said.
In the most recent attack, two men were killed Thursday in Sadr City area of Baghdad after they were disowned by relatives, the official said.
The shootings came after a tribal meeting was held and the members decided to go after the victims.
On March 26, four additional men were fatally shot in the same city, the official said, adding that the victims had also been disowned by their relatives.
The official declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media.
Witnesses told CNN that a Sadr City cafe, which was a popular gathering spot for gays, was also set on fire. (full article)
Are the above developments acceptable examples of what it means to be “liberated” in the 21st century? Ask the oppressed men, women and children of Iraq and Afghanistan why we fight. They’ll tell you the truth…but you might not like the answer.
A few months ago, Iranian student and activist Peyman Piran finally escaped persecution in Iran after enduring a protracted campaign of political persecution. He left his home in hopes of being granted political asylum in a more progressive country.
