Organisation must be helped to bring about democratic change
Sep 29 2008 Letters To The Editor
Dear Editor, After reading the article written on September 20th’s edition by Lord King (“Ashraf City can bring democracy and freedom to Iran”), I would like to say that I totally agree with this parliamentarian.
The members of the People’s Mojahedin Organisation of Iran (PMOI) in Ashraf are involved in a very unlawful policy between the West and Iran which has led to their proscription on the banned list in the US.
Their existence on this list is a shame and will be used by the Iranian regime to demonize the PMOI, considering the fact that they are the only viable resistance to bring about democratic change in Iran.
One of the activities of the regime to stop the Iranian resistance from freeing their people out of the hands of this cruel dictators is to get these 4000 members extradited from Camp Ashraf to Iran.
We have to join forces to stop the regimes activities and support the PMOI to let them continue their struggle for freedom and humanity in Iran and the Middle East, which will be achieved in the near future.
Ebrahim Sahraei
Erdington, Birmingham.
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Voices of millions in Iran must be heard
Dear Editor, With pleasure I read this article by Lord King of West Bromwich in which he clearly illustrates the alternative to war an appeasement with Iran (‘Ashraf City Can Bring Democracy And Freedom To Iran’, Birmingham Post, September 20, 2008).
The 4000 Iranian intellectuals and members of the PMOI in Ashraf City have been struggling for two decades to get rid of the present rulers in Iran. They have already received the support of 5.2 million Iraqis that stated that they are the only hope of Iran, Iraq and the rest of the Middle East to bring about freedom and peace in that region.
They are the main barrier against the mullahs spread of Islamic fundamentalism and we must now demand international human rights organisations to reaffirm their status as protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Conventions, because they are the voices of millions in Iran.
Together with the Iranian people, they can bring about democratic change.
Ali Afavi
Cavendish Avenue, London.
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Tribunals undermine women’s rights
Dear Editor, I write with grave concern about the development of Muslim Arbitration Tribunals (MAT). The purpose of these courts seem extremely worrying as it is evidential that traditional Sharia law does not meet the contemporary needs and rights of women, certainly not in relation to domestic violence, marriage and (post) divorce.
For example, in some Muslim countries, rape is evidenced “if there are four adult, pious, male, Muslim witnesses to the act of penetration”. Four female witnesses are not sufficient! Clearly the impossibility of this evidence leaves many women abused and silenced. In Britain MAT will further serve to undermine women’s constitutional rights should we wish to access a non-Sharia pathway to settle disputes related to marriage and the family, it is crucial that the civil law of the country should not be destabilised by what MAT is advocating.
Religious law, used without due regard to the relative powerlessness of women and children in society and without proper and transparent monitoring can be and is used to strengthen and extend the control and abuse perpetrated by individuals.
Any form of arbitration, conciliation or mediation in cases of abuse from partner or relative is dangerous and inappropriate. It is not recommended by the UK’s Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee domestic violence sector which has over 35 years of experience in domestic violence and forced marriage cases. There are no guarantees from MAT that in cases involving abuse and violence towards women that the victim is supported independently, sensitively and appropriately, that she will be given information in a way that she understands and be sign-posted to appropriate services.
There is also no guarantee that cases of domestic violence are immediately forwarded to the police and CPS, only that they ‘may’ be. Furthermore, there appear to be no monitoring systems in place regarding the work done by MAT, in particular and most urgently, following up what has happened to the victims of domestic violence once perpetrators have completed the course of anger management (if indeed, they have attended?) recommended by the tribunal.
The overall approach of MAT with regards to abuse and control issues in domestic violence cases during tribunal appears to be neutral to the point of complete passivity and this critically begs the question of their suitability and experience for working with these sorts of specialist cases.
The organisation that I work with, Imkaan (a National second tier organisation working with refuges and Domestic Violence Projects) is not aware that any member groups were involved during regional consultation events in Manchester, Bradford, Birmingham and Nuneaton even though there are member groups in each of these areas.
Imkaan members are now calling for an investigation of these developments as they are deeply rooted in a patriarchal bias in addressing matters related to gender equality and seek support to stop this so-called “viable alternative” becoming available as it does not offer women self-determination or choice in exercising their fundamental human rights as victims/survivors of forced marriage and Domestic Violence.
On a personal note, as a member of the Muslim community I cannot condone the development of such a draconian measure that will without doubt further exacerbate and drive underground the issue of violence against women.
Anjum Ahmed-Mouj,
Imkaan.
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If we’re the Second City, why don’t we celebrate
Dear Editor, Thank you for your headline Bosses backing Birmingham as second city (Business, Thursday 25 September).
But why does the city council avoid referring to Birmingham as the second city? You never see it in a press release.
This leaves the field wide open for Manchester to claim first place outside London.
In terms of numbers, the population and the local economy, this is clearly incorrect.
Who makes these decisions? Why does Birmingham’s council fail to talk the same language and demonstrate partnership with the city’s business community?
David Ballard,
Albany Associates, Sutton Coldfield.
