Letter to President Bush (re: Women's Rights in Pakistan)
August 6, 2005
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Bush:
In the struggle against extremism, guaranteeing the rights of the citizens of the world is a vital weapon. We should begin by doing so at home and urging our allies to do the same.
As you know, the high profile cases of Dr. Shazia Khalid and Mukhtar Mai (also known as Mukhtaran Bibi) have come to the attention of the world press.
We urge you to discuss these matters and the rights of women in Pakistan with President Musharraf.
The government of Pakistan has already taken steps in the correct direction by returning Muktar Mai’s passport. We call on you now to ensure that a more complete justice is done for Mukhtar Mai and Dr. Shazia Khalid and the women of Pakistan.
Pakistan should conduct full investigations into the rapes of both Mukhtar Mai and Dr. Shazia Khalid and bring the perpetrators of these crimes to Justice. Both women must be allowed the right to leave and return to Pakistan, free from harassment of any kind. Neither wishes to reflect poorly on Pakistan, only to bring their stories to light. In fact, Dr. Shazia Khalid wishes to return one day to Pakistan and build a hospital for raped and battered women.
More importantly, justice should be available to all of the women of Pakistan. Hundreds of women suffer the same fate in Pakistan each year, with no international press to protect them. Rape survivors must no longer be treated as criminals.
In order to achieve this goal, Pakistan’s government must address the excessive authority wielded by the tribal councils in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Supreme Court’s ruling on August 4, 2005 is a significant step in the right direction. The next step is to repeal the Hudood laws that restrict the rights of women in Pakistan. As Senator Khurshid Ahmad of Pakistan has recently noted, while Hudood is absolute, the Hudood Ordinances are open to changes.
As the civilized nations of the world fight extremism, they must recognize that guaranteeing universal rights will promote global security. Most importantly, it is the only correct choice for the future of our planet.
Signed,
_________________________________
In the struggle against extremism, guaranteeing the rights of the citizens of the world is a vital weapon. We should begin by doing so at home and urging our allies to do the same.
As you know, the high profile cases of Dr. Shazia Khalid and Mukhtar Mai (also known as Mukhtaran Bibi) have come to the attention of the world press.
We urge you to discuss these matters and the rights of women in Pakistan with President Musharraf.
The government of Pakistan has already taken steps in the correct direction by returning Muktar Mai’s passport. We call on you now to ensure that a more complete justice is done for Mukhtar Mai and Dr. Shazia Khalid and the women of Pakistan.
Pakistan should conduct full investigations into the rapes of both Mukhtar Mai and Dr. Shazia Khalid and bring the perpetrators of these crimes to Justice. Both women must be allowed the right to leave and return to Pakistan, free from harassment of any kind. Neither wishes to reflect poorly on Pakistan, only to bring their stories to light. In fact, Dr. Shazia Khalid wishes to return one day to Pakistan and build a hospital for raped and battered women.
More importantly, justice should be available to all of the women of Pakistan. Hundreds of women suffer the same fate in Pakistan each year, with no international press to protect them. Rape survivors must no longer be treated as criminals.
In order to achieve this goal, Pakistan’s government must address the excessive authority wielded by the tribal councils in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Supreme Court’s ruling on August 4, 2005 is a significant step in the right direction. The next step is to repeal the Hudood laws that restrict the rights of women in Pakistan. As Senator Khurshid Ahmad of Pakistan has recently noted, while Hudood is absolute, the Hudood Ordinances are open to changes.
As the civilized nations of the world fight extremism, they must recognize that guaranteeing universal rights will promote global security. Most importantly, it is the only correct choice for the future of our planet.
Signed,
_________________________________
posted by Candace April @ 10:07 AM
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