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GREEN EURO MP: RIGHTS OF IRAQI WOMEN
MUST BE DEFENDED
 
The elections in Iraq may be seen by
some as a step forward, but the jury’s
out on whether this is good news for
women. London’s Green MEP, Jean Lambert
has called for action to end the
atrocities, and support women struggling
to overcome oppression.
Jean, who was named MEP 2005 for Justice
and Human Rights last year, spoke
alongside Houzan Mahmoud, UK Head of
OWFI and co-founder of the Iraq Freedom
Congress, at a seminar in the University
of London Union yesterday. Jean said;
“The elections in Iraq have not solved
the ongoing problems there but seemed to
simply increase the power of an already
established, male dominated power
structure. Women in Iraq are subject to
sexual discrimination, random attacks of
violence, torture and supposed honour
killings. To overcome this violence they
need both physical and financial
support.
“Unable to involve themselves fully in
society because of the dangers they face
everyday, many Iraqi women are being
denied their basic human rights. These
actions are not part of a historical
Iraq and do not belong there today. This
brutality has been encouraged over the
last ten years through activists pushing
a certain version of Islam, but it is
not too late to change the situation and
give women in Iraq the opportunity to
regain their freedom and equality.”
Jean continued to praise the work of
OWFI and urged others to do what they
could: “With the rise of groups such as
OWFI changes will slowly be made but it
is vital that the European Parliament
and other groups provide the necessary
support to continue these developments.”
The seminar focused on Iraq in the
current political situation in Iraq in
light of the ‘elections’. Along with
Jean Lambert MEP and Houzan Mahmoud the
seminar heard from Nadia Mahmood, Iraq
Freedom Congress and Maria Exall,
Communication Workers Union (CWU).
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Morwenna Holland, Media Officer
Tel: 020 7407 6280 or 07813149812
email:
media@jeanlambertmep.org.uk
www.jeanlambertmep.org.uk |