Saturday, 19 June 2010
Iran Solidarity UK's act of solidarity
The UK group did their act today in Trafalgar Square. More info to follow.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Stop stoning of Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani
Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani – a mother of two children - is to be stoned to death by the Islamic Republic of Iran. She has already been convicted of having an ‘illicit relationship’ and been sentenced to 99 lashes. In another trial, she was sentenced to death by stoning.
Iran Solidarity and the International Committee against Stoning are outraged at her sentence and demand her immediate release. We also call on all groups and individuals to send letters of protest demanding her release and an end to the brutal practice of stoning and the death penalty.
Iran Solidarity and the International Committee against Stoning are outraged at her sentence and demand her immediate release. We also call on all groups and individuals to send letters of protest demanding her release and an end to the brutal practice of stoning and the death penalty.
I hope you are coming!
I hope you are coming to the 20 June rally to mark our beloved Neda's murder by the Islamic regime of Iran, to protest against Sharia and religious laws and to defend humanity, universal rights and secularism. We need you there - we are a majority but must come out to show our strength. See piece on rally in Pink Paper.
Thursday, 17 June 2010
Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights
This is One Law for All's act of solidarity with the people of Iran. The report highlights the situation in Britain but often mentions Iran as a case in point of what Sharia law represents for people there and everywhere. The Campaign sees its work here in Britain as a front in the battle against Islamism in general.
Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
17 June 2010
New Report by One Law for All
“Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights”
A new report by One Law for All has found Sharia Councils and Muslim Arbitration Tribunals to be in violation of UK law, public policy and human rights. See report here.
The report is being launched to coincide with a 20 June 2010 rally on the issue of Sharia law.
Based on an 8 March 2010 Seminar on Sharia Law, research, interviews, and One Law for All case files, the report has identified a number of problem areas:
- Sharia law’s civil code is arbitrary and discriminatory against women and children in particular. With the rise in the acceptance of Sharia courts, discrimination is being further institutionalised with some UK law firms additionally offering clients advice on Sharia law and the use of collaborative law.
- Sharia law is practiced in Britain primarily by Sharia Councils and Muslims Arbitration Tribunals. Both operate on religious principles and are harmful to women although Muslim Arbitration Tribunals are wrongly regarded as being of more concern because they operate as tribunals under the Arbitration Act 1996, making their rulings binding in law.
- Sharia Councils, on the other hand, claim to mediate on family issues but in practice often this differs little from arbitration: they frequently ask those appearing before them to sign an agreement to abide by their decisions; they call themselves courts, and the presiding imams, judges. Their decisions are then imposed and regarded as having the weight of legal judgements.
- There is neither control over the appointment of “judges” in Sharia Councils or Tribunals nor an independent mechanism for monitoring them. Clients often do not have access to legal advice and representation. The proceedings are not recorded, nor are there any searchable legal judgements, nor any real right of appeal.
- Sharia law cannot be compared to secular legal systems because it is considered sacred law that cannot be challenged. There is no scope to look at the interests of the individuals involved, as required by UK family law.
- These legal processes ignore both common law and due process, far less Human Rights, and provide little protection and safety for women in violent situations.
- There is a general assumption that those who attend Sharia courts do so voluntarily and that unfair decisions can be challenged in a British court. Many of the principles of Sharia law are contrary to British law and public policy, and would in theory therefore be unlikely to be upheld in a British court. In reality, however, women are often pressured by their families into going to these courts and adhering to unfair decisions, and may lack knowledge of English and their rights under British law. Moreover, refusal to settle a dispute in a Sharia court can give rise to threats and intimidation, or at best being ostracised.
According to Maryam Namazie, spokesperson of the One Law for All Campaign and an author of the report, “The existence of a parallel legal system that is denying a large section of the British population their fundamental human rights is scandalous. Our findings show that it is essential to abolish all religious courts in the UK. Their very existence and legitimisation puts pressure on vulnerable women not to assert their civil rights in a British court. As long as Sharia Councils and Tribunals are allowed to continue to make rulings on issues of family law, women will be pressured into accepting decisions which are prejudicial to them and their children.”
The report recommends that Sharia courts be closed on the grounds that they work against rather than for equality, and are incompatible with human rights. Recommendations include:
1. initiating a Human Rights challenge to Muslim Arbitration Tribunals and/or Sharia Councils
2. amending the Arbitration Act under which the Muslim Arbitration Tribunals operate in a similar way to which the Canadian equivalent of the Arbitration Act was amended in 2005 to exclude religious arbitration
3. launching a major and nationwide helpline and information campaign to inform people of their rights under British law
4. proposing legislation under the EU Citizens Rights Initiative to address the issue EU-wide, and
5. strengthening secularism and the separation of religion from the state, the judicial system and education, in order to more fully protect citizenship rights.
The full report can be downloaded here.
Notes:
1. The report can be downloaded free of charge or a paperback copy purchased from One Law for All for £5.00 plus £2.00 Shipping and Handling. To purchase the book or donate to the work of One Law for All, please either send a cheque to our address below or pay via Paypal.
2. The One Law for All Campaign was launched on 10 December 2008, International Human Rights Day, to call on the UK Government to recognise that Sharia and religious courts are arbitrary and discriminatory against women and children in particular and that citizenship and human rights are non-negotiable.
3. For further information contact:
Maryam Namazie
Spokesperson
One Law for All
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
onelawforall@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk
Press Release
For Immediate Distribution
17 June 2010
New Report by One Law for All
“Sharia Law in Britain: A Threat to One Law for All and Equal Rights”
A new report by One Law for All has found Sharia Councils and Muslim Arbitration Tribunals to be in violation of UK law, public policy and human rights. See report here.
The report is being launched to coincide with a 20 June 2010 rally on the issue of Sharia law.
Based on an 8 March 2010 Seminar on Sharia Law, research, interviews, and One Law for All case files, the report has identified a number of problem areas:
- Sharia law’s civil code is arbitrary and discriminatory against women and children in particular. With the rise in the acceptance of Sharia courts, discrimination is being further institutionalised with some UK law firms additionally offering clients advice on Sharia law and the use of collaborative law.
- Sharia law is practiced in Britain primarily by Sharia Councils and Muslims Arbitration Tribunals. Both operate on religious principles and are harmful to women although Muslim Arbitration Tribunals are wrongly regarded as being of more concern because they operate as tribunals under the Arbitration Act 1996, making their rulings binding in law.
- Sharia Councils, on the other hand, claim to mediate on family issues but in practice often this differs little from arbitration: they frequently ask those appearing before them to sign an agreement to abide by their decisions; they call themselves courts, and the presiding imams, judges. Their decisions are then imposed and regarded as having the weight of legal judgements.
- There is neither control over the appointment of “judges” in Sharia Councils or Tribunals nor an independent mechanism for monitoring them. Clients often do not have access to legal advice and representation. The proceedings are not recorded, nor are there any searchable legal judgements, nor any real right of appeal.
- Sharia law cannot be compared to secular legal systems because it is considered sacred law that cannot be challenged. There is no scope to look at the interests of the individuals involved, as required by UK family law.
- These legal processes ignore both common law and due process, far less Human Rights, and provide little protection and safety for women in violent situations.
- There is a general assumption that those who attend Sharia courts do so voluntarily and that unfair decisions can be challenged in a British court. Many of the principles of Sharia law are contrary to British law and public policy, and would in theory therefore be unlikely to be upheld in a British court. In reality, however, women are often pressured by their families into going to these courts and adhering to unfair decisions, and may lack knowledge of English and their rights under British law. Moreover, refusal to settle a dispute in a Sharia court can give rise to threats and intimidation, or at best being ostracised.
According to Maryam Namazie, spokesperson of the One Law for All Campaign and an author of the report, “The existence of a parallel legal system that is denying a large section of the British population their fundamental human rights is scandalous. Our findings show that it is essential to abolish all religious courts in the UK. Their very existence and legitimisation puts pressure on vulnerable women not to assert their civil rights in a British court. As long as Sharia Councils and Tribunals are allowed to continue to make rulings on issues of family law, women will be pressured into accepting decisions which are prejudicial to them and their children.”
The report recommends that Sharia courts be closed on the grounds that they work against rather than for equality, and are incompatible with human rights. Recommendations include:
1. initiating a Human Rights challenge to Muslim Arbitration Tribunals and/or Sharia Councils
2. amending the Arbitration Act under which the Muslim Arbitration Tribunals operate in a similar way to which the Canadian equivalent of the Arbitration Act was amended in 2005 to exclude religious arbitration
3. launching a major and nationwide helpline and information campaign to inform people of their rights under British law
4. proposing legislation under the EU Citizens Rights Initiative to address the issue EU-wide, and
5. strengthening secularism and the separation of religion from the state, the judicial system and education, in order to more fully protect citizenship rights.
The full report can be downloaded here.
Notes:
1. The report can be downloaded free of charge or a paperback copy purchased from One Law for All for £5.00 plus £2.00 Shipping and Handling. To purchase the book or donate to the work of One Law for All, please either send a cheque to our address below or pay via Paypal.
2. The One Law for All Campaign was launched on 10 December 2008, International Human Rights Day, to call on the UK Government to recognise that Sharia and religious courts are arbitrary and discriminatory against women and children in particular and that citizenship and human rights are non-negotiable.
3. For further information contact:
Maryam Namazie
Spokesperson
One Law for All
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
onelawforall@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Farsi Press Release on June 20 March and Rally
روز یکشنبه ٢٠ ژوئن میتینگ و راهپیمائی در لندن
همراه با نمایش فیلم، موزیک و شعر
میتینگ در لندن مقابل نخست وزیری از ٢ تا ٤ بعدازظهر علیه قوانین اسلامی و حکومت اسلامی در ایران و علیه قوانین شریعه در انگلیس و در همه جا. سکولاریسم و حقوق جهانشمول و برابر برای زن و مرد و همه مردم، دو خواست مهم مردم ایران و جریانات مترقی در همه جای دنیا است. نهاد "قانون برابر برای همه" همه ایرانیان منزجر از قوانین اسلامی و حکومت اسلامی را به شرکت در این میتینگ فرامیخواند تا جلو دست درازی جریانات اسلامی در جامعه انگلیس را بگیریم. امروز مردم ایران در خط مقدم مبارزه علیه قوانین شریعه هستند و در خارج کشور نیز باید تجارت ارزنده خود را در خدمت گسترش مبارزه علیه جریانات اسلامی که اکثرا توسط جمهوری اسلامی و سایر دولتهای مرتجع اسلامی تغذیه میشوند ایفا کنند.
راهپیمائی از ساعت ٤ بعدازظهر از نخست وزیری به طرف سفارت جمهوری اسلامی در همبستگی با مردم ایران و در گرامیداشت یاد جانباختگان راه آزادی و برابری و گرامیداشت ندا سمبل مبارزه مردم ایران برای یک جامعه برابر و انسانی شروع میشود. این راهپیمائی را ایران سولیداریتی سازمان داده است. ایران سولیداریتی ابزار مهمی برای جلب همبستگی با مردم ایران است که با شروع تظاهرات میلیونی مردم در تعدادی از کشورها شروع شد و تاکنون نقش ارزنده ای در شناساندن چهره کثیف جمهوری اسلامی و شناساندن چهره حق طلبانه و آزادیخواهانه مردم ایران به افکار عمومی در انگلیس و برخی کشورهای دیگر داشته است. در این راهپیمائی شرکت کنید کمک کنید که تعداد هرچه بیشتری از مردم انگلیس به حمایت از مبارزه مردم ایران جلب شوند.
سخنرانان و نمایش دهندگان تظاهرات لندن: ای کی 47 (شاعر خیابان)، اسد عباس (شورای اکس مسلم بریتانیا)، آر وای عالم (شاعر)، آدم بارنت (موزیسین)، اسماعیل ایناش (قانون یکسان برای همه)، دیوید فیشر (خواننده، ترانه سرا)، لیلیت (شاعر خیابان)، لیریکال ایجنت (ای ام سی) رونی میا (وکلی، حامعه وکلای سکولار)، مریم نمازی (قانون یکسان برای همه و ایران سولیداریتی)، جرارد فیلیپس (جامعه سراسری سکولاریستها)، نایومی فیلیپس (انجمن اومانیستهای انگلیس) فریبرز پویا (جامعه سکولاریستهای ایران)، برنت لی ریگان (ای ام سی)، یاسمسن رحمان (کمپینر حقوق زنان)، گیتا ساغل (آکتیویست)، سهیلا شریفی (علیه تبعیض، سازمان دفاع از حقوق زن)، موریل سلتمن (اکتیویست)، پیتر تاچل (کمپینر حقوق بشر) و ... همچنین بخشی از فیلمی برای ندا به کارگردانی آنتونی توماس به نمایش گذاشته می شود.
قانون برابر برای همه
ایران سولیداریتی
ژوئن ٢٠١٠
میتینگ از ساعت ٢ تا ٤ بعدازظهر در محوطه مقابل دفتر نخست وزیری در تقاطع Richmond Terrace با Whitehall ، مقابل Downing Street (SW1A 2) نزدیک ترین ایستگاه قطار وست مینستر
راهپیمائی: ساعت ٤ بطرف سفارت جمهوری اسلامی
iransolidaritynow@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk
www.iransolidarity.org.uk
http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com
همراه با نمایش فیلم، موزیک و شعر
میتینگ در لندن مقابل نخست وزیری از ٢ تا ٤ بعدازظهر علیه قوانین اسلامی و حکومت اسلامی در ایران و علیه قوانین شریعه در انگلیس و در همه جا. سکولاریسم و حقوق جهانشمول و برابر برای زن و مرد و همه مردم، دو خواست مهم مردم ایران و جریانات مترقی در همه جای دنیا است. نهاد "قانون برابر برای همه" همه ایرانیان منزجر از قوانین اسلامی و حکومت اسلامی را به شرکت در این میتینگ فرامیخواند تا جلو دست درازی جریانات اسلامی در جامعه انگلیس را بگیریم. امروز مردم ایران در خط مقدم مبارزه علیه قوانین شریعه هستند و در خارج کشور نیز باید تجارت ارزنده خود را در خدمت گسترش مبارزه علیه جریانات اسلامی که اکثرا توسط جمهوری اسلامی و سایر دولتهای مرتجع اسلامی تغذیه میشوند ایفا کنند.
راهپیمائی از ساعت ٤ بعدازظهر از نخست وزیری به طرف سفارت جمهوری اسلامی در همبستگی با مردم ایران و در گرامیداشت یاد جانباختگان راه آزادی و برابری و گرامیداشت ندا سمبل مبارزه مردم ایران برای یک جامعه برابر و انسانی شروع میشود. این راهپیمائی را ایران سولیداریتی سازمان داده است. ایران سولیداریتی ابزار مهمی برای جلب همبستگی با مردم ایران است که با شروع تظاهرات میلیونی مردم در تعدادی از کشورها شروع شد و تاکنون نقش ارزنده ای در شناساندن چهره کثیف جمهوری اسلامی و شناساندن چهره حق طلبانه و آزادیخواهانه مردم ایران به افکار عمومی در انگلیس و برخی کشورهای دیگر داشته است. در این راهپیمائی شرکت کنید کمک کنید که تعداد هرچه بیشتری از مردم انگلیس به حمایت از مبارزه مردم ایران جلب شوند.
سخنرانان و نمایش دهندگان تظاهرات لندن: ای کی 47 (شاعر خیابان)، اسد عباس (شورای اکس مسلم بریتانیا)، آر وای عالم (شاعر)، آدم بارنت (موزیسین)، اسماعیل ایناش (قانون یکسان برای همه)، دیوید فیشر (خواننده، ترانه سرا)، لیلیت (شاعر خیابان)، لیریکال ایجنت (ای ام سی) رونی میا (وکلی، حامعه وکلای سکولار)، مریم نمازی (قانون یکسان برای همه و ایران سولیداریتی)، جرارد فیلیپس (جامعه سراسری سکولاریستها)، نایومی فیلیپس (انجمن اومانیستهای انگلیس) فریبرز پویا (جامعه سکولاریستهای ایران)، برنت لی ریگان (ای ام سی)، یاسمسن رحمان (کمپینر حقوق زنان)، گیتا ساغل (آکتیویست)، سهیلا شریفی (علیه تبعیض، سازمان دفاع از حقوق زن)، موریل سلتمن (اکتیویست)، پیتر تاچل (کمپینر حقوق بشر) و ... همچنین بخشی از فیلمی برای ندا به کارگردانی آنتونی توماس به نمایش گذاشته می شود.
قانون برابر برای همه
ایران سولیداریتی
ژوئن ٢٠١٠
میتینگ از ساعت ٢ تا ٤ بعدازظهر در محوطه مقابل دفتر نخست وزیری در تقاطع Richmond Terrace با Whitehall ، مقابل Downing Street (SW1A 2) نزدیک ترین ایستگاه قطار وست مینستر
راهپیمائی: ساعت ٤ بطرف سفارت جمهوری اسلامی
iransolidaritynow@gmail.com
www.onelawforall.org.uk
www.iransolidarity.org.uk
http://iransolidarity.blogspot.com
Monday, 14 June 2010
Joanna's message of solidarity
Joanne sends in this message of solidarity with the people of Iran:
"I'm firmly behind you in this cause; it breaks my heart to see what's happening in Iran."
"I'm firmly behind you in this cause; it breaks my heart to see what's happening in Iran."
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Magnus Nielsen's act of solidarity
Magnus Nielsen did his act of solidarity with the people of Iran today in Trafalgar Square. No photo available.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
12 June solidarity protest with Iranian people
Iran Solidarity took to the streets of London today to show solidarity and support with the people of Iran and to mark one year of uprising of people in Iran. We gathered first at Trafalgar Square and then continued our protest in front of the Iranian embassy with hundreds of other protesters.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Goranka Gudelj's act of solidarity
See Goranka Gudelj's act of solidarity with the people of Iran here:
Thursday, 10 June 2010
Anniversary of the uprising of people in Iran
Iran Solidarity will be in London, Trafalgar Square to show our solidarity and support of people's uprising at the anniversary of 'elections' in Iran. Support the people in Iran in their struggle against the Islamic regime and 31 years of dictatorship! Protest against the ongoing imprisonment, torture and executions of political activists. Join us on Saturday 12 June 2-4pm.
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Monday, 7 June 2010
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Magnus Nielsen's act of solidarity
Writer Magnus Nielsen went to Trafalgar Square today to show solidarity with the people of Iran. No photo available.
Saturday, 5 June 2010
Friday, 4 June 2010
Thursday, 3 June 2010
This is For Neda
Anthony Thomas' major film For Neda has been uploaded to Youtube and is an excellent act of solidarity with the people of Iran. To see the video, click here or see the below:
Wednesday, 2 June 2010
International Labour Solidarity Committee's act of solidarity
The International Labour Solidarity Committee of the Worker-communist Party of Iran issued the following press release on the Islamic regime of Iran's presence at the International Labour Organisation on June 2:
What are Farzad Kamangar’s executioners doing in the ILO?
Farzad Kamangar, dissident teacher and human rights activist, was brutally executed in early May by the regime in Iran , along with four other political prisoners. The world’s trade unions had long been campaigning for his release, and have vehemently condemned the executions.
People want to know: What are these executioners doing in the ILO? Why does the ILO keep inviting them to its annual conferences year after year?
It’s time to put a stop to this tacit complicity with the regime in Iran . The ILO conference is no place for executioners! This regime should be thrown out of the ILO and the world community.
Show your solidarity with the workers and people of Iran:
· Boycott the regime of Iran ’s delegation at the ILO conference!
· Help kick this regime out of ILO!
Join the rally outside the conference centre (Place des Nations) on Wednesday 2nd June at 1pm.
The below are some of the coverage of the protest:
Pictures of the Day The Wall Street Journal
India Times
Day Life
US Today
What are Farzad Kamangar’s executioners doing in the ILO?
Farzad Kamangar, dissident teacher and human rights activist, was brutally executed in early May by the regime in Iran , along with four other political prisoners. The world’s trade unions had long been campaigning for his release, and have vehemently condemned the executions.
People want to know: What are these executioners doing in the ILO? Why does the ILO keep inviting them to its annual conferences year after year?
It’s time to put a stop to this tacit complicity with the regime in Iran . The ILO conference is no place for executioners! This regime should be thrown out of the ILO and the world community.
Show your solidarity with the workers and people of Iran:
· Boycott the regime of Iran ’s delegation at the ILO conference!
· Help kick this regime out of ILO!
Join the rally outside the conference centre (Place des Nations) on Wednesday 2nd June at 1pm.
The below are some of the coverage of the protest:
Pictures of the Day The Wall Street Journal
India Times
Day Life
US Today
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Teachers' Union in Vancouver's act of solidarity against the execution of Farzad Kamangar
Tahmineh Sadeghi sent this in today. It is a letter of protest by the Teachers' Union in Vancouver, Cananda against the execution of Farzad Kamangar:
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