Fundamentalisms

Indonesia: National Commission on Violence Against Women Press Release

Press Release on The Legislation of the Qanun on Jinayah (Islamic Criminal Law): The National Government of Indonesia Has Failed to Enforce the Constitution, September 15 2009.

Indonesia: Aceh passes adultery stoning law

Indonesia's province of Aceh has passed a new law making adultery punishable by stoning to death, a member of the province's parliament has said.

Pakistan: Another Gojra case accused arrested

Gojra city police on Wednesday night arrested one of the accused for allegedly attacking and injuring 13 Muslims.

Algérie: A la mémoire des enseignantes assassinées

Dich Amina, Tounsi Aziza, Boudaoud Kheira, Bouteraa Rachida, Mehdane Zohra, Bouhend Fatima, Fliou M'hamdia, Louhab Naïma, Lenfad Hafida, Cherrid Kheira, Bouali Hanafi Sahnounia et Saber El H'bib ont été assassinées le 27 septembre 1997 a Sidi Bel Abbes.

France: Elisabeth Badinter adresse celles qui portent la burqa

"C'est aujourd'hui votre choix, mais qui sait si demain vous ne serez pas heureuses de pouvoir en changer. Elles ne le peuvent pas... Pensez-y."

Algerian Women Protest: 20 years is enough!

The documentary film, OUECH DEK YAL KADi (What came over you, Judge?), tells the story of women in Algeria raising their voices against the Algerian Family Code enacted on June 9, 1984.

UPDATE: Pakistan: Investigation into massacres of Christians

For the first time the Pakistani assembly has discussed the need to amend the Blasphemy Laws, and there's a constitutional review committee in the parliament. Many civil society groups are pushing for a secular basis to the constitution. On August 28, 2009, the investigation report of 48 detained accused were submitted before the Anti-Terrorism Court. All the detained accused in Korian case will be produced before court again on Sep 11, 2009.

UPDATE: Sudan: Lubna Hussein begins jail sentence

Flogging sentence dropped in trial of Lubna Hussein. However, the guilty verdict has not been overturned and rather than pay a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds Hussein has chosen to go to jail in protest at the guilty verdict.

UPDATE: Sudan: Lubna Hussein released from jail after fine paid against her will

According to reports, the Sudanese Journalists Union paid the fine at the behest of the Sudanese government.

UPDATE: Sudan: Flogging sentence dropped and fine paid against Hussein's will

Lubna Hussein had been released after a day in prison after the government backed Journalists Union paid her fine. They did so without her consent. It is believed the government hopes that by closing this case, the pressure to repeal the discriminatory laws with die down. The sentence of flogging was dropped in the case of Lubna Hussein who was charged under article 152 (Indecent and Immoral Acts) of the 1991 Sudanese Penal Code for wearing trousers in a public place. However, the guilty verdict has not been overturned and she had to choose between paying a fine of 500 Sudanese pounds or facing one month in jail. On Monday evening, Lubna Hussein was taken to jail to begin her sentence. Ms. Hussein did not want to lend any legitimacy to the verdict by paying the fine, and had intended to appeal the guilty verdict in both the Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court. Lubna Hussein had previously pointed out that this charge falls under ‘immoral’ or ‘indecent behaviour’, a charge which will remain on her record and that of the other women arrested. Although she she will not be flogged, this offence on her record is associated with prostitution and other 'immoral' behaviour.