Last June, a group of women protested in Tehran against Iran's use of Islamic family law, which they regarded as discriminatory. They were promptly arrested and beaten. On Sunday five of them finally appeared in court on charges of "acting against national security by participating in an illegal gathering". A group of women protesting outside the court were likewise arrested for pointing out that Iran's constitution affirms freedom of peaceful assembly. Meanwhile, the original protestors - and their lawyer - were arrested again as they left the courtroom. All this for engaging in what we assume to be a basic right in a civilised society: peacefully questioning and advocating against government policy.
The right to peacefully assemble and protest is vital to bringing about political change. But that is precisely what the Iranian government wants to prevent.
2 comments:
Lookout! Or Team Super Powers will go over there and democratize them Irans.
Posted by Anonymous : 3/06/2007 12:59:00 PM
Anon: Well, they're already part of the way there: Iranians do get to vote for their leaders. Unfortunately, they are restricted as to who they may vote for - the elections are fair, but not free.
Butif Iraq has taught us anything, its that you can't bomb people into democracy. It has to come from below. These Iranian women are at least doing their bit to help that process - and paying a high price for it.
Posted by Idiot/Savant : 3/06/2007 01:18:00 PM
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