Three Iranian feminists were recently arrested and received suspended sentences of lashings and six months in prison for "acting against national security."
Nasrin Afzali (pictured at right), Nahid Jafari, and Minoo Mortazi were found guilty of acting against national security, disrupting public order, and refusing to follow police orders. All the charges stem from their participation in a political rally outside a Tehran courtroom in March 2006.A fourth female activist, Zeinab Payghambarzadeh, who attended the same rally, was given a two-year suspended prison term after being accused of similar charges.
The sentences will only be carried out if the women are found guilty of another crime within two years. All four women intend to appeal the verdicts.
The women charged are the activists responsible for the One Million Signatures Campaign, which aims to collect one million signatures for petition addressed to the Iranian Parliament asking for an end to discriminatory laws against women. You can find out more about the campaign from the video above and here.
Zahra Arzani, Jafari's defense lawyer, said "people who take part in these projects should be appreciated and shown gratitude for doing this work, instead of being sent to prison and beaten up."
The Feminist Peace Network and Global Voices Online have more.
Thanks to Roja, who I met in California this weekend, for all the great info.
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My hat is off. Brave brave brave.
o_O
First, the arrests and sentences are just plain not fair.
Second, from what I read about the One Million Signatures Campaign before, they're acting *for* national security (equal preotection for everyone in the nation and all that).
Brave, brave women to stand up to the Iranian government. Of course these arrests are unfair and their cause is just, we know that, but the Ayatollah and his mullahcracy is never going to cede major rights to women. It'll take some serious change for Iran to start recognizing the rights of women.
It's high time these sexists grow up and start giving equal rights to women. hats off to all these strong women!
Wow! We have nothing on these women, they are like "super feminists".
The only thing that makes me a little sad seeing their bravity, is the impact war could have on their situation. Women had much more security in Irak before the US invasion.
Disheartening and sad...but sheroic and beautiful. I am thankful for their bravery and courage. Yes, the arrests are unfair. So, what can we do to help these awesome ladies?
(Thank you for writing about this Jessica!)
They ARE super feminists and super activists:) I'm so proud and have learned so much from these women.
and Yes, a war with the US can probably squish this movement.
you can help in several ways, scroll down to the last two sections of this article written by an activist in Iran:
https://www.we-change.org/english/spip.php?article226
(Thank you for writing about this Jessica!)
They ARE super feminists and super activists:) I'm so proud and have learned so much from these women.
and Yes, a war with the US can probably squish this movement.
you can help in several ways, scroll down to the last two sections of this article written by an activist in Iran:
https://www.we-change.org/english/spip.php?article226
Those women are kick-ass!! They'd give Chris Matthews a shit load!