State control

WLUML is deeply concerned about reports of violent attacks and arrests of women's rights activists, women's groups and human rights defenders on 8 March 2006, International Women’s Day. Those gathered were attacked and assaulted by plain-clothes militia, special anti riot forces of the Revolutionary guards, soldiers and police.

Several Arab and Egyptian human rights organisations have condemned the use of violence by Iranian security forces to disperse a gathering in Tehran in commemoration of International Women's Day on March 8th.

Multiculturalism and religious freedom trumped safety concerns in a recent Canadian Supreme Court decision that will allow orthodox Sikh students to carry concealed traditional daggers to school.