18/12/2007 > IRAQ
Firstly,
let's remember that the chief of police's statement that 40 women in Basra have been killed
has not been confirmed by a single NGO or international organisation. The
occupation forces and the local mafia commit crimes against women all over the
country. And that's because the institutions that were supposed to guarantee
women's rights and security were destroyed by the barbarian occupation.
It
saddens me to see a town that was once cosmopolitan falling into the hands of
the new Taliban. (...) And while these women suffer, officials play catch 22:
they complain and accuse, but they don't do anything about it.
As a woman in a trouser suit campaigns to become President of the United States, others are being killed on the
streets of Basra
for wearing makeup and not covering their faces (...).
Forty women killed in Basra for not following Islamic tradition
In the port of Basra, Iraq's second largest city, the walls are covered with graffiti. The message, written in red, is clear: women who wear too much make-up or do not cover your hair: you are risking your life. Too late, sadly, for some. Around forty women have already been killed for this offence in the past year. Their bodies are often found in rubbish bins, decapitated or mutilated, and accompanied by messages like ‘killed for adultery' or ‘killed for violating Islamic law'.
These crimes have shocked Iraqi bloggers. Most of them condemn the events, but they're divided over the reasons behind the atrocities. Opposed to the occupation, the blog of the Iraqi women's association asserts that the U.S. and their allies are manipulating this affair so that they can depict Iraqis as an uncivilised and violent people. ‘Treasure of Baghdad', an exiled Iraqi blogger, despairs to see Basra fall into the hands of a ‘new Taliban'. And American editor and journalist Robert Stein questions the responsibility of George Bush's government in this chaos.
The contributors
“Who killed these women and why?”
Firstly,
let's remember that the chief of police's statement that 40 women in Basra have been killed
has not been confirmed by a single NGO or international organisation. The
occupation forces and the local mafia commit crimes against women all over the
country. And that's because the institutions that were supposed to guarantee
women's rights and security were destroyed by the barbarian occupation.
We condemn all violence against women and ultimately blame the occupying countries for it. We ask ourselves why their governments are suddenly interested in women's welfare. What is their real political motive? We assert that the fight for women's rights must not be manipulated by political issues and we condemn the western media for attempting to demonise the Iraqis as a nation of uncivilised and violent people, prepared to massacre their own women and children."
8 December 2007
Ghosts of the Taliban hover over Basra women
Posted by a young Iraqi student.
It
saddens me to see a town that was once cosmopolitan falling into the hands of
the new Taliban. (...) And while these women suffer, officials play catch 22:
they complain and accuse, but they don't do anything about it.
Moqtada al-Sadr's men were the first to deny their involvement in these high-profile deaths. Salam al-Maliki, a close contact of the Islamic leader, declared in al-Arabiya that the police are exaggerating the story. He added that some Christian and Muslim women dress incorrectly at university, but that they're not forced to wear the Hijab. But women there are saying the opposite...(...).
The women in Basra need help. I call on humanitarian organisations and women's rights NGOs to make sure that my country's women don't fall into the hands of the Taliban. There's no point in putting my trust into male Iraqi politicians to take on the problem, when they're extremists themselves (...)."
7 December 2007
Post your questions to Treasure of Baghdad, our Observer for Iraq.
Dress right or die
Post published on the blog Moderate Voice by Robert Stein, journalist and critic of the American media.
As a woman in a trouser suit campaigns to become President of the United States, others are being killed on the
streets of Basra
for wearing makeup and not covering their faces (...).
As American politicians debate the future of the country we invaded almost five years ago, what is happening in Basra, "known for its mixed population and night life" under Saddam Hussein, is a chilling reminder of what we will leave behind, no matter how well the Surge works.
Can the sectarian madness we unleashed be negotiated away by Nouri al-Maliki [Prime minister of Iraq] in Baghdad? (...).
When President Bush makes his next self-congratulatory speech about bringing the blessings of democracy to Iraq, someone should ask him about the women of Basra (...)."
11 December 2007
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Video: The General's Last Stand - The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/video/2007/dec/17/video
Gripping
Wow, what a very gripping video. Very graphic but certainly gets the point across. Thanks for sharing...
Visualize
I agree, it certainly puts things into perspective being able to "visualize" what when on.
Please note the pictures!
Please note the pictures of the first few women victims in the Guardian video. They were killed while wearing the acceptable dress! I do not believe all these women were killed because of the way they dress, I believe they were killed probably by their relatives, so called honour killing. Please remember you are relying on a politically biased chief of Police
Since the war on Iraq and the authority vacuum, there has been a surge in 'honour killing' all over Iraq, even in the Kurdish area (refer to the latest UNAMI report) Basically this what Bush and Blair has brought to Iraq's women.
I warn you against blaming Islam for it. 'Honour killing' has nothing to do with Islam it is Tribal. I want to know the stats of 'honour killing' and prostitutes' killing in Basra every year since 2003, before I can pass my judgment.
What is really outrageous and has only been acknowledged yesterday (17/12/07)on the BBC1 Panorama program, the exodus of the minorities from Basra under the Watch of the British occupation Forces!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/panorama/default.stm
missed the latest programme? Watch now
Not mentioning the lack of clean water and sanitation, and public health services in better shape under Saddam and sanctions! There is no excuse!
Dear Tara, Honor killing is
Dear Tara,
Honor killing is happening in a lot of places in Iraq. Yet, in Basra the situation is different. Basra used to be a secular city with open-minded people who do not believe in honor killings. The militias and the religious fanatics controlling the city are behind these attacks. Honor killings happened even under the rule of Saddam Hussein, but in Basra-like in Baghdad- people did not believe in it like the people in the rural areas did.
I am not blaming Islam for what is happening. I am a Muslim after all. Yet, these criminals are interpreting the Quran and the Islamic teachings their way, not the right way. Not to mention that politics has its big share in these killings. Militias of different parties are fighting to take over the city to control its oil revenues.
Only accurate Stats can clarify this issue.
Dear Treasure of Baghdad, I have come across your blog a while ago!
Like I said above I would like to see stats of women murdered in Basra every year since 2003.
The British media outlets have been repeating this subject and chewing on it since they declared that they will 'hand over' control of Basra (they never had control, the British army officials have admitted that all they did is stay in their military bases) like the Americans they want to see Iraqis killing each other while they watch them from their military bases!
Especially now that your esteemed PM has signed a memorandum of understanding to secure long term military and economic US presence in Iraq.
'Honour killing' is a tribal custom. Please do not forget the deteriorations in Basra during the criminal economic siege 1991-2203. I feel certain that the centre of Basra is a lot different to its rural parts.
Any criminal mafia that can see benefit from using a political or religious cover is going to do so.
Who brought these militias , who is responsible for the break down of law and oerder? who turned a blind eye to the the criminal activities in Basra?
Also, I feel certain of the presence of women trafficking , prostitution mafias in Basra. They are quite capable of murdering women who do not comply!
According to Hasan Juma of the oil unions, oil smuggling in Basra is big business these mafias are rich, powerful and well armed!
If you watch the Panorama programme on the link above, you will see that there has been a systematic campaign that continues to date in Basra of kidnapping academics and professionals!
Te problem in Basra is the breakdown of law and order.
The British are trying to divert attention
from the hatred of Basra people.
"More than 85% of the residents of Basra believe British troops have had a negative effect on the Iraqi province since 2003, an opinion poll suggests."
Basra residents blame UK troops
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7144437.stm