Home

News

15/2/2008
UK: Comment: "Failed by religious law"
Pragna Patel argues, "in the rush to be tolerant or sensitive to religious difference, they have created the space for the most authoritarian and even fundamentalist religious leaders to take control of our communities."
15/2/2008
UK: Government upholds religious schooling
The following petition was submitted to the British Government on 15 November 2007, with 19,107 signatures. Below is the recently issued government's response:
15/2/2008
UK: Comment: "On the issue of equality it is not just the sharia that needs reform, but all monotheistic faiths"
Ziauddin Sardar: "Faith folks, such as the archbishop and I, have legitimate moral qualms about "legal universalism". Nevertheless, we are obliged to follow the law, which applies to all, equally and universally."
15/2/2008
Saudi Arabia: UN Special Rapporteur urges more action for women's rights
Yakin Ertürk, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, hailed progress in Saudi Arabia on advancing the status of women but urged more action to prevent gender-based violence and raise their profile in public life.
15/2/2008
Middle East: New controls proposed over satellite TV in Arab region
Arab Charter for Satellite TV: Article 19 warns this will be a major setback to freedom of the press in the region.
15/2/2008
Canada: Ex-Husband Appeals Jewish-Divorce Landmark Ruling
An ex-husband is challenging a Canadian Supreme Court judgment that has been heralded as a major boost in the global cause for Jewish women's stronger religious divorce rights. The woman in the case doesn't think he has a chance.
14/2/2008
Iran: Stop the Stoning to Death of Zohreh and Azar Kabari! (**FARSI VERSION**)
ایران: حکم سنگسار زهره و آذر کبیری را متوقف کنید
13/2/2008
Iran: Parvin Ardalan wins human rights prize
Women's human rights defender Parvin Ardalan has received the Olof Palme Prize for 2007.
12/2/2008
Turkey: Op-Ed: "Veiled Democracy?"
"The issue raises a big question about Mr. Erdogan: is he dedicated to his party’s plans for comprehensive constitutional reform, or is he simply serving the interests of religion? The latter would be a grave error..."
12/2/2008
Canada: Polygamous Ontario Muslims collecting multiple benefit cheques
Polygamous Muslims in Ontario receive benefits, although polygamy is officially illegal in Canada.