Also, please note the time difference since the stoning is scheduled for Thursday, 21 June 2007, in the morning, Tehran time, which is Wednesday evening and midnight in the US and Europe. Please act now before it is too late!

Pakistan: Couple detained in Pakistan need your letters of support
12/06/2007: Women Living Under Muslim Laws is deeply concerned about the prosecution and detention of Shamial Raj and Shahzina Tariq of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Shamial Raj had a sex change operation and for years has been living as a man. He and Shahzina Tariq married for love last year, despite the fact that Shahzina's father had wanted to marry her off to someone to whom he owed money. Shahzina's father, Tariq Hussain and other members of her family continued to harrass the pair and took legal action against Shamial accusing him of kidnapping their daughter, despite the consensual nature of their marriage. On the 28th of May, 2007 the Lahore High Court decided there was insufficient evidence to charge Shahzina and Shamial under section 377 (unnatural offences). However the couple have both been sentenced to three years imprisonment on lesser charges.

Iran: Haleh Esfiandiari and other Iranian-American citizens unlawfully arrested and detained
29/05/2007: Incommunicado detention of and judicial proceedings against several Iranian-American citizens including Dr. Haleh Esfiandiari, director of the Middle East programme at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington DC. Dr. Esfiandiari was arrested in Tehran on 8th May 2007 after being summoned for questioning by Ministry of Intelligence officials and was taken to section 209 of Evin prison, where she was allowed one call to inform her relatives that she had been jailed. Dr. Esfandiari is also a well-known advocate of dialogue between the US and Iranian governments.

UPDATE: Iran: Wave of arrests: Court again refuses to accept bail posted for 'One Million Signatures' campaigner Zeinab Peyqambarzadeh
10/05/2007: When asked about Zeinab’s bail, her father Peyqambarzadeh explained that court officials did not even discuss the issue of bail with him. “They only told me to leave and didn’t allow me any visits with my daughter either. They were angry and shouted a lot and told me that they have reactivated Zeinab’s previous criminal charge [for when she was arrested on the metro for distributing pamphlets about the Campaign]”. Zeinab’s father explained further that he worries for his daughter’s safety because they won’t tell him what they are going to do. "Is it a crime to ask for a written summons?" he asks.

UPDATE: Iran: Further arrests of women's rights activists working on the 'One Million Signatures Campaign'
8/05/2007: Zeinab Peyqambarzadeh, an active youth member of the “One Million Signatures” campaign, was arrested yesterday for her participation in a peaceful protest on March 4. She reported to the Revolutionary Court after receiving a summons, where she was then arrested and transferred to Evin prison. Her father and lawyer attempted to post the set bail of 20 million toumans (about $27,000), but the court refused to accept the bail and would not authorize Peyqambarzadeh’s release.

Pakistan: Pakistani authorities have banned the satirical stage play "Burqavaganza" after Islamist MPs raised the issue in parliament.
27/04/2007: The Ajoka Theatre company staged a satirical play, "Burqavaganza", in Lahore earlier this month using the image of the burqa as a metaphor for the double standards which exist in contemporary Pakistani society. Following protests from Islamist politicians, the play has now been banned.

Iran: More women's rights defenders summoned to the Revolutionary Court; two arrested
20/04/2007: Fariba Davoudi Mohajer and Sussan Tahmasebi, two of the eleven women’s rights activists summoned by the Revolutionary Court, were sentenced to prison on April 18 for threatening “national security.” The two activists were organizers of the peaceful protest on June 12, 2006 and the “One Million Signatures” campaign demanding an end to discriminatory laws against women. Davoudi Mohajer, who was tried in absentia as she is currently abroad, was sentenced to one year in prison and three years suspended sentence. Tahmasebi was sentenced to six months in jail and one year suspended sentence. Their lawyers are appealing the sentences.

UPDATE: Iran: All women's rights activists have been released although crackdown on Iranian civil society escalates
20/03/2007: Women's human rights defenders released on exorbitant bail, but repression of civil society continues.

UPDATE: Iran: Last two women human rights defenders released from prison on heavy bail
19/03/2007: Shadi Sadr and Mahboubeh Abasgholizadeh were released from prison on Monday. However, the charges against the two women have not been dropped and the bail has been set at an exorbitant rate.

UPDATE: Iran: Offices of two remaining prisoners shut down by the Revolutionary Court
15/03/2007: The NGO offices of Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh and Shadi Sadr, the two Iranian activists still imprisoned after women's peaceful demonstration in Tehran on 4 March, were closed down by the Revolutionary Court on Thursday evening.

UPDATE: Iran: Two women's rights defenders now in solitary confinement
12/03/2007: Shadi Sadr and Mahboubeh Abasgholizadeh have been arraigned, charged with being a "threat to national security," and remanded on March 11 by interrogators at Evin Prison, authorized by the Ministry of Intelligence of Iran.

UPDATE: Iran: All but three women activists freed
8/03/2007: All but three of the 33 Iranian women's rights activists jailed on Sunday were freed Wednesday night, on the eve of International Women's Day, in exchange for a pledge not to demonstrate on 8 March.

UPDATE: Iran: Amnesty International joins in support of activists arrested in Tehran
5/03/2007: Amnesty International today called for the immediate and unconditional release of over 30 women activists who were arrested on Sunday, 4 March while staging a peaceful demonstration in Tehran. The organization believes the arrests may be intended to deter activists from organizing events to mark International Women's Day on 8 March.

Iran: Campaign to Free Women's Rights Defenders
4/03/2007: Dozens of women's rights defenders were arrested in Tehran on Saturday during a peaceful gathering in front of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran. The gathering was to protest the recent state pressures on women's rights defenders. Sign the petition condemning the arrest and detention of the women activists.


UPDATE: Iran: Increased Pressure on Activists Involved in the One Million Signatures Campaign
20/02/2007: Despite arrests of activists and repeatedly blocked websites, the Campaign Demanding an End to Discriminatory Laws against Women continues to gather national and international support, through the collection of one million signatures over two years. The petition will then be submitted to the Parliament of Iran along with proposed changes to laws which discriminate against women and men, specifically in the area of family law.

Pakistan: Teenage girl abducted, raped and disrobed: demand justice
8/02/2007: Women's rights activists demand Pakistan state authorities ensure justice for a teenage girl who has been kidnapped, raped and forced to parade naked publicly.

Pakistan: Four women allegedly murdered under the pretext of 'honour'
5/02/2007: Just fourteen days after the National Assembly of Pakistan passed a Women's Protection Bill in order to provide relief and protection to women against the abuse of laws against premarital and extramarital sex, WLUML is deeply concerned to learn of another brutal "honour killing" case reported, from the Shikarpur district in the Sindh Province of Pakistan on 29 November 2006.

Bahrain: Young divorcee is threatened for speaking out against Sharia courts, politicized judges and the lack of a personal status law
15/01/2007: A 29-year-old divorcee in Bahrain has been receiving death threats and anonymous phone calls after being interviewed about her case on Al Hurra television on November 25th 2006. During the interview, mother-of-three Suad Mohammed Fathalla spoke alongside Women's Petition Committee head Ghada Jamsheer and Bahrain Center for Human Rights president Abdulhadi Al Khawaja.

UPDATE: Pakistan: Demand action after incident of sexual violence at the Islamic Learning Department of Karachi University
10/01/2007: Colleagues at Shirkat Gah, WLUML Asia regional coordination office have been monitoring the situation and have confirmed that they have made efforts to meet with staff from the university departments involved and that the female student is now reported missing. There has been no further news on the incident and despite letters being sent to the judiciary and the university authorities, this case does not have a positive outcome. However, many thanks to those of you who responded.

UPDATE: Iran: 'Stop Stoning Forever' Campaign
6/12/2006: The Minister of Justice and spokesman for the Judiciary, Mr. Jamal Karimi-Rad, is the first Iranian judicial authority who has made official remarks in reaction to the Stop Stoning Forever campaign. In a press conference held on November 21, 2006, he denied that stoning is practiced as a punishment in Iran.

UPDATE: Philippines: Demand a fair trial in the Subic rape case
4/12/2006: Following strong protests from women's and left-wing groups, a US marine has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for raping a local woman in the Philippines last year. About 100 protesters were outside the courthouse for the verdict.

Europe: Action for Women Human Rights Defenders
29/11/2006: Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) is a term referring to women who individually or with others, act to promote and protect everyone’s human rights and any individual working specifically to promote women’s rights.

Iran: 'Stop Stoning Forever' Campaign
7/11/2006: WLUML supports, and urges you to support, this campaign with the objective of changing the Islamic Penal Code of Iran so that stoning will never again be issued as a sentence or practiced as a punishment.

Philippines: Demand a fair trial in the Subic rape case
3/11/2006: The Asia-Japan Women's Resource Center (AJWRC) has launched an international petition campaign for justice for Filipino rape victim by US military forces, since it is one of most serious human rights concerns in East Asia. They request our cooperation in responding to and disseminating this information widely.

UPDATE: Iraq: Campaign to affirm Personal Status Law and remove Article 41 from the constitution
25/10/2006: We have received the following information from Iraqi friends who have initiated a campaign now that the constitutional committee has been formed. Their demands will be sent to the committee, to urge them to affirm the Personal Status Law and to remove Article 41 from the Iraqi constitution.

Pakistan: Demand action after incident of sexual violence at the Islamic Learning Department of Karachi University
12/09/2006: Human Rights advocates are shocked over the attempted rape of a female law student by staff of the Islamic Learning Department of Karachi University on 28 July 2006. They urge you to write to the Pakistani authorities to demand action for the arrest of the perpetrators and the filing of a criminal case.

UPDATE: UN: Act now for UN reform and gender equality
1/09/2006: The Coherence Panel met on 30-31 August 2006 to finalize, among other things, their report for the Secretary General. We have heard that many critical recommendations on the gender architecture of the UN may be included in the report. At this point, it is critical to send a bold message to the panel members about strengthening operational capacity alongside the normative functions.

Iran: Campaign to collect one million signatures demanding changes to discriminatory laws
30/08/2006: Iranian women’s rights activists are initiating a wide campaign demanding an end to legal discrimination against women in Iranian law. The Campaign aims to collect one million signatures to demand changes to discriminatory laws against women and is a follow-up effort to the peaceful protest of the same aim, which took place on June 12, 2006 in Haft-e Tir Square in Tehran.

UPDATE: Iran: Stay of execution for Ashraf Kalhori but your solidarity is still needed
11/08/2006: We are glad to inform you that we have heard that Ayatollah Shahroudi has acted to stop the execution of Ashraf, the 37 year old mother of four, who was sentenced to stoning for having had extramarital sex. However, her fate is not yet clear and we urge you to continue writing to the Iranian authorities on her behalf.

Iran: Urgently appeal against the execution, by stoning, of Ashraf Kolhari
8/08/2006: WLUML has received the following request for solidarity from an Iranian networker who is voluntarily representing Ashraf Kalhori, currently in Evin prison in Tehran and scheduled to be stoned to death as a result of having an extramarital affair, despite her earlier request for a divorce being denied.

Sri Lanka: Demand an end to attacks on civilians - call for investigation and prosecution
26/06/2006: WLUML is disturbed to hear that, in the latest outbreak of violence in Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces as well as the LTTE are targeting unarmed civilians. We urge you to show solidarity and support friends in Sri Lanka and sign on/circulate this appeal.

Update: Kyrgyzstan: Continued access to abortion - safe, for now
25/06/2006: We have heard from friends from The Forum of Women's NGOs of Kyrgyzstan who recently requested support in the protest against initiatives that restrict women's right to abortion. They send their thanks and warm wishes to those who sent letters of support and solidarity. For now, these initiatives have not been adopted by the Kyrgyztsan Parliament.

Bangladesh: Continued attacks on the Ahmadiyya community
22/06/2006: During 2003-2005 we circulated calls for action regarding attacks on the community, and subsequent updates urging action. WLUML again urges you to write to the Bangladesh Government regarding their duty to protect minority communities.

UPDATE: Iran: Support Iranian women - demonstration 12 June 2006
22/06/2006: We have heard from friends who say, "Thanks to everybody who participated in this solidarity action, the website of the Iranian Presidency drastically slowed down and came to a halt several times on the 18th and 19th of June. We can be sure they have received the word. We are ending this action for now with an urgent note."

Kyrgyzstan: Support the campaign to ensure continued access to abortion
13/06/2006: The Forum of Women's NGOs of Kyrgyzstan is requesting your support in the protest against initiatives that restrict women's right to abortion.

Iran: Support Iranian women - demonstration 12 June 2006
8/06/2006: We urge individuals and organizations to sign up to support the peaceful protest of Iranian women demanding equal rights.

UN: Act now for UN reform and gender equality
9/05/2006: Despite the good commitments from CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action especially, implementation by governments and in the UN has been far slower than we would like. With the initiatives for reforms in the UN, there is an important opportunity now to ensure that the structural and other obstacles to effective implementation within the UN are addressed.

Bahrain: Take action in support of women demanding introduction of Bahrain’s new Family Code
4/05/2006: WLUML has received an urgent request from the Committee of Women’s Petition (CWP), Bahrain. WLUML strongly urges you to take action in support of the group of women from Bahrain linked with the Committee of Women’s Petition and ensure their safe return to Bahrain following their campaigning visit to Europe in support of Bahrain’s proposed Family Code.

UPDATE: Afghanistan: Don’t allow warlords to silence Malalai Joya
27/04/2006: According to the Defense Committee of Malalai Joya, on 14 April 2006, the staff of Malalai Joya's office in Farah province uncovered a plot planned by Joya's opponents against her.

Pakistan: Religious minorities - ensure protection of places of worship and properties
21/03/2006: WLUML has received this call for action from friends at Hotline Asia and urges you to respond. They state that in the past 10 months (May 2005 to February 2006), the places of worship and properties of religious minorities are increasingly being targeted by the extremist attacks and grabbing of properties in Pakistan.

Iran: Condemn the violence used against Iranian women on international women's day
14/03/2006: WLUML is deeply concerned about reports of violent attacks and arrests of women's rights activists, women's groups and human rights defenders on 8 March 2006, International Women’s Day. Those gathered were attacked and assaulted by plain-clothes militia, special anti riot forces of the Revolutionary guards, soldiers and police.

Afghanistan: Don’t allow warlords to silence Malalai Joya
14/02/2006: Malalai Joya is a member of the Afghan parliament which comprises mostly warlords and fundamentalists who are directly or indirectly involved in the gross violations of human rights in Afghanistan. They currently dominate new parliament using their guns, power, money and intimidation.

Canada: Protest against the proposed decriminalization of polygamy
17/01/2006: We have received the following call for action from friends in Canada who ask that we write letters to Dr. Martha Bailey protesting her recommendation that the Federal Government of Canada remove Section 293 from the Criminal Code of Canada, thus, decriminalizing polygamy in Canada.

UPDATE: Malaysia: Family law bill unjust to Malaysian Muslim women
16/01/2006: Sisters in Islam share the good news that, because of your overwhelming support and help in response to our previous appeal, the Malaysian government recently announced that it would put on hold the gazetting of the controversial Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2005. The bad news is that this non-gazettement is only valid for the Federal Territories, and not for the remaining states in the federation of Malaysia that have adopted these unjust amendments into their respective Islamic Family Laws. Since Islam is a state matter, it means that Muslim women living in these 11 states continue to be affected by its unjust clauses. They urge you to express your concern ...

Malaysia: Family law bill unjust to Malaysian Muslim women
4/01/2006: We have received this open appeal for support from like-minded Muslim organizations and individuals around the globe to protest the recent passing of the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territories) (Amendment) Bill 2005 by the Malaysian Senate.

UPDATE: Bahrain: Court clears Ghada Jamsheer of defamation
3/01/2006: Women's rights activist Ghada Jamsheer was found not guilty of defaming a Sharia judge by the Lower Criminal Court on 28 December 2005. The court ruled that there was not enough evidence to prosecute Ms Jamsheer because the judge only had one witness who supported his claim against her.

UPDATE: Bangladesh: Continued attacks on the Ahmadiyya community
1/12/2005: It is an indication of the worrying political trends in Bangladesh that the Bangladesh National Party-Jamaat-i-Islami alliance currently in power is one of the most right-wing elected governments in the country's history and yet even this government is unable to satisfy extremist politico-religious groups.

Serbia: The harassment of Women in Black Belgrade continues
10/11/2005: WLUML has received a call for action from friends in Women in Black to demand the immediate end to the continual harassment of Women in Black in Belgrade who have been under investigation in recent months.

UPDATE: Bahrain: Continue to take action in support of Ghada Jamsheer and defenders of human and women’s rights
16/09/2005: In June 2005 WLUML circulated an alert for action to support women’s rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Jamsheer who faced three trials for publicly criticizing family court judges and, if convicted, faced up to 15 years in prison.

UPDATE: Canada: McGuinty rejects Ontario's use of Shariah law
12/09/2005: Many thanks to all of you who responded to this call for action and made your voices heard.

UPDATE: Iraq: Protect Iraqi women's rights in the new Iraq Constitution
18/08/2005: WLUML urges you to continue writing to the Iraqi authorities, insisting they listen to Iraqi women's demands for a constitution that secures the rights and liberties of all Iraqi people and especially of Iraqi women.

Iraq: Protect Iraqi women's rights in the new Iraq Constitution
7/08/2005: Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) strongly urges you to support Iraqi women's demands for a constitution that secures the rights and liberties of all Iraqi people and especially of Iraqi women.

UPDATE: Bahrain: The main case against Ghada Jamsheer has been dismissed
29/06/2005: WLUML has learned that the main case against women's rights activist Ghada Jamsheer has been dropped on the grounds that it was illegally brought against her by the Public Prosecution.

Bahrain: Take action in support of Ghada Jamsheer and defenders of human and women’s rights
12/06/2005: WLUML has received an urgent request from The Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR) calling for support for women’s rights campaigner Ms. Ghada Jamsheer.

UPDATE: Canada: Support Canadian women's struggle against Shari'a Courts
31/05/2005: The undersigned Canadian associations call for support in their struggle against the introduction of religious arbitration courts for family matters in Canada.

UPDATE: Turkey: Muyeser Gunes and members of Mothers for Peace are free
6/05/2005: Thanks to international pressure, solidarity and support, Muyeser Gunes and the members of Mothers for Peace have been released.

Turkey: Demand the release of members of the Peace Caravan
29/04/2005: WLUML has received a call for action from friends in Women in Black Leuven (Belgium) to demand the immediate release of Muyeser Gunes of the association Mothers for Peace and of the other members of the Peace Caravan held in Turkish prisons awaiting trial.

Turkey: Action alert to eliminate gender discrimination and human rights violations in the new Turkish Penal Code
22/04/2005: WLUML has received a call for action from friends in Turkey following the recent Turkish Penal Code reform and urges you to respond.

UPDATE: Bangladesh: The situation of the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community is deteriorating rapidly
19/04/2005: WLUML again urges you to respond with increased pressure on the Bangladesh Government regarding their duty to protect minority communities.

Canada: Support Canadian women's struggle against Shari'a Courts
7/04/2005: WLUML asks you URGENTLY to send letters of support to Canadian women’s organisations, in particular organisations of women whose families come from Muslim societies, in their struggle to resist the introduction of so-called ‘Shari’a Courts’ in the resolution of family matters in Canada.

UPDATE - Iraq: Giuliana Sgrena has been released
7/03/2005: WLUML is relieved to learn of the release of Giuliana Sgrena but concerned about reports that her car was fired on by US forces leaving her injured and a negotiator dead.

Slovak Republic: Action needed to protest treaty between Slovak Republic and Holy See
18/02/2005: WLUML has received a call for action to support those in the Slovak Republic to defend the separation of church and state and women's rights.

Iraq: Urgent call for solidarity for kidnapped feminist journalist Guiliana Sgrena
9/02/2005: WLUML has received an urgent appeal for solidarity and pressure to be placed on the Italian government to secure the safe release of Italian feminist-pacifist journalist Guiliana Sgrena, kidnapped in Iraq.

UPDATE - Algeria: Justice given to women in Hassi Messaoud
7/01/2005: We have received news that on 3 January 2005, thanks to a large national and international mobilization of women's organisations, justice was done.

Algeria: Justice for women in Hassi Messaoud
22/12/2004: We have received a request for IMMEDIATE pressure to be applied on the Algerian Government to ensure justice in a case that comes up for hearing on 28 December 2004. The trial is to take place in Biskra.

UPDATE: Iran: Call for the unconditional release of Mahboobeh Abbasgholizadeh
3/12/2004: WLUML is extremely relieved to learn of Dr. Abbasgholizadeh’s release, on bail, on 1st December 2004.

Iran: Call for the unconditional release of Mahboobeh Abbasgholizadeh
11/11/2004: WLUML is deeply concerned about the arrest of Ms. Mahboobeh Abbasgholizadeh on November 1, 2004 on the orders of Tehran's General Prosecutor, Saeid Mortazavi (who ordered the arrest of the Canadian woman journalist who died in prison).

Uzbekistan: Authoritarian measures against women's NGOs
26/07/2004: Sweeping and stringent measures introduced recently by Uzbekistan’s authoritarian government threaten, among other basic rights, the existence of the country’s independent progressive women’s non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

UPDATE: Iraq: Protect Iraqi Women's Rights in Family Laws
3/03/2004: In January 2004, WLUML urged you to join Iraqi women's efforts and take action to oppose the Iraqi Governing Council's (IGC) 'Resolution 137' dated 29 December 2003 that proposed the introduction of Sharia law in personal status matters and to cancel all laws which are incompatible with this decision. It was reported on 27th February 2004, that the IGC has cancelled resolution 137.

UPDATE: Iraq: Protect Iraqi Women's Rights in Family Laws
4/02/2004: WLUML has received the following clarification/additional information from a British Member of Parliament.

Iraq: Protect Iraqi Women's Rights in Family Laws
29/01/2004: WLUML strongly urges you to join Iraqi women's efforts and take action to oppose the Iraqi Governing Council's (IGC) 'Resolution 137' dated 29 December 2003 that proposes the introduction of Sharia law in personal status matters and to cancel all laws which are incompatible with this decision.

UPDATE: Bangladesh: The position of the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community continues to deteriorate
14/01/2004: The position of the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate rapidly, raising grave concerns for their safety.

Bangladesh: Ahmadiyyas (Qadianis) Under Attack: Violating the Right to Freedom of Religion
18/12/2003: In the last few months, the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community in Bangladesh has been subjected to repeated assaults on its mosques in several places and on individual members of the community.

UPDATE: Bahrain: The case against The Committee of Women’s Memorandum
18/11/2003: On 11 November 2003, the High Court of Appeal decided not to transfer the case to the Constitutional Court but that the case would continue to be dealt with in the High Penal Court. The next hearing date has not yet been announced.

UNIFEM funds threatened as Dutch propose "gender mainstreaming" to replace Women's Programs in the UN or at the National Level
10/11/2003: Friends at Women's Environment and Development Organisation (WEDO) have issued the following alert for action.

Bahrain: Defend members of the Committee of Women’s Memorandum
12/09/2003: Women Living Under Muslim Laws (WLUML) strongly urges you to take action in support of the members of the Committee of Women’s Memorandum (Bahrain), other Bahraini intellectuals, and defenders of human and women’s rights.

Morocco: Call for solidarity with Maria Makrem, Moroccan journalist under threat
21/03/2003: The Democratic League for Women's Rights (LDDF) urge you to support Maria Makrem who was recently attacked and threatened by the Moroccan security services.

India: Stand in solidarity with the women of Gujarat on 8th March
25/02/2003: As you are probably planning activities around International Women’s Day, 8th March, WLUML strongly urges you to refocus international attention, protests and solidarity on the ongoing genocidal process taking place in the Indian state of Gujarat since late February 2002.

Egypt: Trial of suspected homosexuals continues in Cairo
6/09/2002: The second trial of 50 of the "Cairo 52" men continued in Cairo today. The 50 defendants include both those who were acquitted as well as those who were convicted in an earlier trial that ended November 14, 2001.

Pakistan: Text of Federal Shariat Court judgment in Zafran Bibi case
21/08/2002: The text of the detailed judgment released by the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) in the case of Zafran Bibi.

Jordan: Toujan al-Faisal released
1/07/2002: Toujan al-Faisal has been released and vows to continue the fight against corruption.

Iran: Attempts to persecute human rights defender Mehrangiz Kar by silencing her husband
10/05/2002: Mehrangiz Kar, journalist and Iranian women's rights activist, who was jailed in April 2000 for her writings and speeches on women's rights, was allowed to leave Iran for medical treatment for breast cancer in fall 2001. After she arrived in the United States, her husband, journalist Siamak Pourzand, was disappeared. He was brought to the phone a number of times to call Mehrangiz and their daughters Leila and Azadeh to pass on the message that they must refrain from speaking on his behalf and must avoid contact with the media.

Pakistan: Women's Action Forum statement on Zafran Bibi case
29/04/2002: Women's Action Forum (WAF), Lahore expresses grave concern at the sentence of stoning to death of Zafran Bibi by the Sessions Judge Kohat, Mr. Anwar Ali. Zafran Bibi was sentenced on the basis of her statement before the court that she became pregnant and gave birth as the result of being raped by her husband's brother while the former was in jail. The male accused was acquitted.

Pakistan: Appeal filed against stoning sentence - local groups prioritise local pressure
26/04/2002: Although friends in Pakistan clearly stated they wish to pursue this case by prioritising local pressure and working through the Pakistani legal system, local groups have however requested that international friends remain ready to launch an alert for action should the need arise. Pakistani women’s, human rights and lawyers’ groups have mobilised around the case. At this point they are prioritising local pressure and working through the Pakistani legal system as their strategy.

India: Harassment of women engaged in prostitution in Karnataka
10/04/2002: Renewed call for action.

India: Harassment of women engaged in prostitution in Karnataka
4/04/2002: Protest against the threats and intimidation unleashed on women activists of the social work organisation SANGRAM and the prostitutes collective VAMP (Veshya AIDS Mukabla Parishad) by the Nippani Circle Inspector of Police Satish Khot and the Shiv Sena corporator of Nippani.

USA: Polygamy related abuses in Utah
15/02/2002: A Call for Action from the Child Protection Project in Colorado and the International Human Rights Clinic at the New York University School of Law asking us to urge the U.S authorities to take action against polygamous marriages. Polygamous marriages are practiced on a large scale especially in the State of Utah, but in neighbouring U.S. states as well.

Sudan: Woman sentenced to death by stoning
13/02/2002: On 8th December 2001, Abok Alfa Akok a Christian woman of 18 years of age from the Dinka tribe, was sentenced by the criminal court in Nyala City, Southern Darfur, to execution by stoning for the crime of adultery.

Egypt: 'Boulak 4' sentenced to three years in prison
7/02/2002: On February 3, 2002, a court in Boulak-al-Dakrour (in Giza, a suburb of Cairo) convicted four men for consensual homosexual behavior. A judge sentenced each to three years in prison with three years' probation to follow. Days later, Europe and the United States gave Egypt billions of dollars to keep such courts, police, and prisons running.

Pakistan: Demand the overturning of death sentences in blasphemy cases
30/01/2002: Dr. Younus Shaikh, a peace activist and founder of the Progressive group 'Enlightenment', was a teacher at the Capital Medical College for Homeopathy, Islamabad. He was arrested on 5th October 2000 by the Islamabad police and charged under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. All petitions for bail were rejected by the Lower and High Courts. On 24 July 2001 the Multan Bench of Lahore High Court confirmed the death sentence of Ayub Masih, a Christian, in a blasphemy case. Ayub Masih of Arifwala, Distt. Sahiwal (Southern Punjab) was arrested on 14 October, 1996 on the charge of passing derogatory remarks against the Prophet Muhammad. The appeal in one case is currently being heard while in the other case the appeal has already been turned down at the High Court level. It is therefore of the utmost urgence that all friends respond now to place pressure on the Pakistan authorities and ensure that these precious lives are not lost.

Bangladesh: Eradicate violence and harassment against women
29/01/2002: Simi Banu, a young and talented artist of Narayangonj Fine Arts Institute, committed suicide at her residence in Khilgaon thana, Dhaka on December 23.

Afghanistan: Urgent need to include representatives of women's organisations and civil society organisations in the Bonn Conference - November 2001
26/11/2001: On the eve of the Bonn conference, we repeat our call to the UN to support and facilitate Afghan women's involvement in peace and reconstruction processes.

India: Sodomy and obscenity charges formally filed in trial of 'Lucknow Four'
16/11/2001: Following their release on bail in August 2001, the HIV/AIDS prevention workers now face charges from the Lucknow police.

Afghanistan: Include women in transition processes
15/11/2001: A call upon the UN, better-positioned than any other entity, to support and facilitate Afghan women's involvement in the decision-making and transition processes in the coming months.

UN: Open letter from NGOs to the General Assembly regarding terrorism debate
16/10/2001: The UN Security Council passed on Friday September 29th, 2001 (pm) Resolution no. 1373 (2001) which requires all states to take sweeping measures to 'combat' terrorism and opens the door to the use of force as one means of doing so.

USA: Alert as USA hints at attacks on other countries
11/10/2001: After three days of the U.S. bombing campaign in Afghanistan, the United States has informed the Security Council that attacks against other organisations and other countries may be necessary, a move that would be a drastic stretch of the international law concept of self-defence and would serve to further intensify and escalate the ongoing violence.

UN: Security Council resolution 1373 to combat terrorism
28/09/2001: This is an URGENT request for you to endorse a letter circulated today by the Women's Caucus for Gender Justice for the International Criminal Court (ICC), New York. Sign on by MONDAY 1st October 10 am NY time or fax on MONDAY directly to Security Council members.

Worldwide: Tell the Vatican to stand up for women
25/09/2001: The Call to Accountability Campaign is an international campaign supported by over 300 international religious, women's rights and human rights groups whose goal is to raise public awareness about sexual violence against women in the Catholic church and hold accountable the individual and institutional leadership involved or complicit in this problem.

Denmark: Appointment of Israeli war criminal to ambassadorial post
16/08/2001: Carmi Gillon, former head of the Israeli General Security Service (Shin Bet), arrives in Denmark and is confirmed as Israel's Ambassador to Denmark.

Turkey: Virginity examinations
9/08/2001: Cancel the code of conduct which permits virginity examinations.

India: Sodomy and obscenity charges formally filed in trial of 'Lucknow Four'
6/08/2001: On July 7, 2001, police in Lucknow raided the offices of Bharosa Trust and the Naz Foundation, seizing HIV/AIDS prevention material, including educational brochures, videos, and condoms.  The Senior Superintendent of Police concluded that both agencies were running "gay clubs" and spreading gay culture throughout Lucknow.

UN: Reproductive Health Goal Dropped
17/07/2001: The World Bank, IMF, OECD and the United Nations have dropped the goal to 'make accessible, through the primary health care system, reproductive health to all individuals of appropriate ages as soon as possible and no later than the year 2015.'

Morocco: Grant women greater rights
28/06/2001: Move towards the improvement of the status of women through wide-reaching legislative reforms.

Iran: Attempts to persecute human rights defender Mehrangiz Kar by silencing her husband
16/05/2001: Mehrangiz Kar, journalist and Iranian women's rights activist, who was jailed in April 2000 for her writings and speeches on women's rights, was allowed to leave Iran for medical treatment for breast cancer in autumn 2001.

Egypt: Attempt to annul the marriage of Dr Nawal el-Saadawi
5/03/2001: We are deeply concerned about politically-motivated court action brought against Dr. Nawal el-Saadawi and the possibility of threats to her personal security and that of her husband. Now 70, the prominent Egyptian feminist writer, doctor and active defender of the rights of women has become the latest intellectual to face the possibility of apostasy charges.

Turkey: Government scraps virginity tests
28/02/2001: The Turkish Government has rescinded a controversial law that allowed school girls suspected of having pre-marital sex to be given virginity tests.

Austria: Women's NGOs threatened
10/02/2001: Right-wing Austrian government abolishes women's ministry.

Iran: Lift Harsh Sentences Imposed on Human Rights Activists
2/02/2001: 17 human rights activists imprisoned after secret trials.