So…I just wrote about an anti-war protest in San Francisco, but if you’re on the right coast like me, you might be feeling left out of all the “Be the change you wish to see”-fun. Don’t fret, my pet. Join “hundreds of South Asian women, international human rights activists and their supporters” as they prepare for “the largest rally for womenŽs rights in Pakistan ever held outside that country.”
South-Asian womenŽs groups and international human rights organizations will demonstrate for human rights for women in Pakistan on Saturday, September 17, outside the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City where President Pervez Mustarraf will be staying during the United Nations World Summit.
Protesters will be demanding an end to the rape, domestic violence and murder of women, often committed under the banner of religion, that have become endemic in Pakistan. They will also be calling on Musharraf to repeal Taliban-like religiously-based laws that are increasingly restricting womenŽs freedoms, such as Zina Ordinance and Hasba Bill.
Two of the women who have put a “face” on tragedy will be there, in one form or another:
Dr. Shazia Khalid was raped by an army officer who was never prosecuted, and she was forced to seek asylum in the United Kingdom. A tribal court sentenced Mukhtar Mai (also known as Mukhtar Bibi) to gang rape as punishment for an offense allegedly committed by her brother. Dr. Khalid will speak to the crowd on Saturday by speakerphone, and a statement from Mukhtar Mai will be read.
Mushie’s ears are perking up, he’s listening. In reponse to this rally and other pressure from everyone decent, his office has given an audience to Pakistani women who wish to meet him at his hotel Saturday morning. Many are planning to do that and THEN protest outside of it.
Other speakers include but are not limited to:
Amna Buttar, President of ANAA
Anis Haroon from Aurat Foundation
Purvi Shah from Sakhi
Nisha Varia from Human Rights Watch
Nadia Gareeb from Amnesty International USA
Raza Ali Mir, Scholar
Afrasiab Khatak from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan
Sunita Mehta from Women for Afghan Women
Archi Piyati from Human Rights First
Saadia Toor from Pakistani Activists for Gender Equality
More from Amna, President of ANAA:
the demonstrators will call for the establishment of laws against domestic violence in Pakistan and for protection of women from gender-based violence and all forms of religious extremism. “We will demand real and speedy justice for victims of rape, and an end to the impunity by which private citizens and government agents alike commit horrible crimes against women,” she said. PakistanŽs parallel system of justice, with the feudal and jirga systems operating alongside of, and undermining, the countryŽs formal code of laws, perpetuates pervasive violations of women.
Details:
WHEN: September 17 from 12 noon to 3 pm
WHERE: Roosevelt Hotel-Madison Ave and East 45th St.
SUBWAY: 7 to 5th Avenue; 4,5,6,S to 42d-Grand Central; E,V to Lexington (@53d St.); B,D,F,V to 42d St & walk
BUS: M1, M2, M3, M4, M42, M104
