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The other night Jane asked me if I had seen a story ... it was just a little clip about a woman member of the Afghan Parliament who criticized her colleagues on tv saying:
"A stable is better, for there you have a donkey that carries a load and a cow that provides milk," she said. "The parliament is worse than a stable."
In response, the leaders of the Parliament said she could no longer represent her consituency in their chambers and are taking her to court.
Well, that sounded interesting ... so I started digging around and discovered a woman who could teach our representatives a few things.
Malalai Joya is the youngest member of the Afghan Parliament ... elected by the people of Farah . Under the Taliban, she returned to her homeland from a refugee camp and ran a secret school for women. She did not back down.
During the Loya Jirga deliberations on a new Afghan government, Joya was a representative and she spoke - forcefully - for democracy and peace, for women's rights, and for an end to the growing rule of the warlords. Her microphone was cut off and she was ridiculed ... but she did not back down .
"Since I've started my struggle for human rights in Afghanistan, for women's rights, these criminals, these drug smugglers, they've stood against me from the first time I raised my voice at the Loya Jirga," she said, referring to the constitution-drafting constitution held several years ago.
Later elected to Parliament, she continued to speak out for women's rights and against the rule of the warlords - insisting that they be brought to justice, not amnestied and given powerful seats in Parliament themselves.
The National Reconciliation Bill declared that the "defenders" of the jihad "must be treated with respect and be defended against any kind of offence". Ms Joya said the bill was "unjust and went against the will of the people. Those guilty must be tried. In fact, they have already been tried in the minds and hearts of the people and they should be tried officially."
In response, she was called "a traitor who should be severely punished". During a street rally thousands of supporters of the warlords turned MPs chanted "death to Malalai Joya".
Her "colleagues" threw water bottles at her, called her a "prostitute," threatened to rape her - and turned off her mic again.
Joya did not back down. She continued to speak - to large gatherings in her district, to local media, to overseas women's groups.
She names the warlords who sit in the same parliamentary chamber - by name and crime - and she insists that justice be done, that the Afghan people deserve a life of democracy and peace. She does not back down.
She has survived four assasination attempts, lives with a team of bodyguards and does not stay in one house for more than a few nights. She says, at age 29 that she does not expect to live to old age. But she will not back down.
And while the leaders of Parliament have tried to silence her, the people of Farah are taking to the streets demanding her reinstatement. Joya says she will fight on :
I am well aware of the hardships, challenges, and prospects of death from anti-democratic forces. But I trust my people and enjoy their full support and encouragement. The enemies of my people have weapons, political power and the support of the US government to suppress me. But they can never silence my voice and hide the truth. I am proud to be abeacon of hope for my people and enjoy strong support from them in my mission for democracy and freedom.
The fundamentalists are counting their days to kill me, but I believe in and follow the noble saying of the freedom-loving Iranian writer Samad Behrangi:
“Death could very easily come now, but I should not be the one to seek it. Of course if I should meet it and that is inevitable, it would not matter. What matters is whether my living or dying has had any effect on the lives of others…”
* * * *
To watch a wonderful interview with Joya from Australian TV click here . Translations of her speeches, video of her in the Loya Jirga and in Parliament and more can be found here . A film about Joya - Enemies of Happiness was the Grand Jury Award Winning Documentary at Sundance 2007 but does not seem to be available in the States.
According to her support committee, letters of support for Malalai are needed urgently:
Write to Afghan officials and file your protest for expelling and prosecuting Joya, while the terrorists and human rights violators in the parliament were provided immunity before any court for their past crimes last month.
- Express your concern for Joya's security during the court sessions as the fundamentalists currently hold key positions in Afghanistan's judiciary.
- Circulate this letter and ask lawyers and defenders of human rights in your area and country to come forward and help Joya during her court proceedings and defend her.
Letters of protest can be sent to the following sources:
President Hamid Karzai
khaleeq.ahmad@gmail.com
president@afghanistangov.orgSupreme Court of Afghanistan
aquddus@supremecourt.gov.af
Feedback Form of the Supreme CourtAfghanistan's Parliament
hasib_n786@yahoo.comInterior Ministry
moinews@gmail.com
wahed.moi@gmail.comJustice Ministry of Afghanistan
info@moj.gov.af
hidayatr@moj.gov.afWe thank you for your prompt action and support and hope you will forward a copy of your letters to mj@malalaijoya.com.
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Zed
How courageous she is.
CTuttle @ 1
Nice goin’, buddy !!!
I like this woman!!!
I just read a brief snippet about the large number of women in Algeria who are lawyers and judges…like a whopping 60%.
The Arab and Muslim world has some changes coming too.
I wish the US would spend more time helping people like Ms. Joya instead of just shipping weapons and invading other nations. We’d make a lot more friends that way.
-GSD
LoudonLib - check out the Australian interview link at the bottom …. she’s this lovely oh so young woman and she is just so clear … blew me away.
Joya!
Thank you, Siun.
What a woman!
She makes one of our politicians look pretty pathetic.
Kirk - great post yesterday … bravo!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 9
More than one, sadly.
The Afghan Parliament has a Yahoo account?
This is what a beautiful woman looks like.
petedownunder @ 11
Most of them actually.
petedownunder @ 11
More than many?
melfeasance - nodding, I was tempted to use one of the youtubes since I really hope people listen to her interview … but that photo just sings.
GSD @ 5
The fact is, the American Gov’t. does not help to establish democracies in other countries, it enables pro- American dictatorships, which in turn enables America’s corporate interests.
Well… I was thinking of one in particular.
Wow, Siun, Wow!!! Doesn’t the Loya Jirga have a higher representation of women than our own Congress? Joya has inherited Gandhi’s mantle of self-sacrifice in public service!!! What a shining beacon of hope in a dismal quagmire!!!
kirk murphy @ 7
Hey Kirk, it would be great if you move up to Canada, but I for one wish you’d stay down there and help steer the good ship Lollipop back on course.
Siun, thank you and Loya! I will definitely write. What a brave woman.
We could use Ms. Joya’s help in South Dakota and Kansas while she’s at it.
-GSD
CTuttle @ 19
She might suffer Gandhi’s fate … the greedy do not like people like him and Joya messing with their profiteering.
I’m pretty sure Ms. Joya would kick Karl Rove’s fat bottom.
-GSD
Petrocelli @ 17
And further fuels the growing Anti-Americanism, leading to further antagonisms that initially drove OBL to carryout 911!!! Duh!!! WTF???
Compare this woman to our front runners.
Joya is quite clear that american forces and policy have been active is supporting the warlords and ensuring their power. And the warlords have just been granted immunity for their crimes - while Joya faces court for speaking the truth.
Thanks, Siun. She’s very inspirational.
OK Kiddo - reading about Joya helped me get through this week … I hope you’ll send the letters requested - we really need to show our support.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 26
Please no.
Thank you Jane for pointing me to the story … I was not aware of her so you’ve given me a new hero.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 26
Oooh, low blow!!! Sadly, no Profiles in Courage amongst the bunch!!! Maybe Paul and Kucinich…. Not!!!
Siun @ 6
Siun, thank you, just finished watching the interview (had to step away for a bit) — she blew me away too! Amazing!
let’s run her against Steny Hoyer :P
Siun @ 6
yup, with leaders like Joya there will be brighter days ahead for the world.
Blub @ 34
Does she speak English??? Bwhahahaha!!!
Thanks, Siun (blushes).
Petrocelli, can I pull on the Lollipop with a really long cyber-rope: from some free nation’s territory?
The nation where I was born seems to becoming what it once threatened to blow up the world to defeat:
a state with secret prisons, rule by decree, torture, corrupt jurists, political prosecutions, show trials, and political controls on travel within national territory.
When I was a kid in the 60’s, the Reader’s Digest warned me about the tyranny where all that happened - the USSR.
I even never visited -
now I live where it’s all happening.
It’s mourning in America.
Siun, I haven’t heard a response to my initial question, doesn’t the Loya Jirga have a better representation of women than our own Congress? *g*
I’ll send the letters alright. I’ll even be polite. ;0)
Oklahoma kiddo @ 39
Since when??? ;)
CTuttle @ 40
;0)
CTuttle: I don’t know the final number of women in the Loya Jirga, but:
and if you watch the videos at Joya’s site of the Loya Jirga, you’ll see a lot of women … as you will if you watch the videos at the same place of the demonstrations in support of her.
petedownunder @ 11
She makes all but a few look pathetic.
Siun @ 42
Much Mahalo Ma’am, even with the low ball of 11% is higher than our 6-7%, IRCC!!! Ironically, we don’t even honor our own dictates/principles!!! :(
She’s beautiful!
I have known about Malalai Joya for some time. She is the real deal. Thank you, Siun, for publicizing her situation.
In fact, I have been following Afghan affairs since our invasion there in 2002. I supported that invasion, but the current international military force that is propping up Karzai’s government now may be going in the wrong direction, as Joya is pointing out. There are difficult choices to make there. We had good reasons to go there. We should have kept our attention there, and should never have gotten diverted to Iraq– except that Cheney would have screwed it up anyway, as he apparently has.
There is another organization that Firepups who like Malalai Joya might want to investigate:
The Afghan Women’s Mission, which currently has a feature article on Malalai Joya on its front page, and its sister organization, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA). I am a bit uncertain about how well they manage their finances, so I would not place them on the same reliability level as a charity with the International Rescue committee, so check before you donate. But they certainly give Firepups a source of info on what’s happening in Afghanistan that you won’t find in the mainstream press.
Bob in HI
This is why it’s a bad idea for societies to keep women meek and oppressed. The second a man (and I use that term loosely) from that society is confronted with a woman who won’t kowtow to him, he falls apart.
Now take that man, and multiply him by a few million…
I think we need to be a little bit sensitive of our dem politicians. I know some are really sicko (Lieberman), but others are just working to keep the majority in ‘08 so they can actually accomplish something. I know the Iraq war vote was a real disappointment, but still. Those of us not putting our heads in the ringer need to appreciate that others are. Just saying. It can’t be easy to run for political office just now.
NOW did a story about Joya in March. She’s astounding.
We need people in our congress with her kind of guts.
Good posting Siun thanks. It’s so infuriating how the rights of women and children have been set back for at least a generation.
What to do when your society feels (or is) under attack? Ramp up the patriarchy and patriarchal opression big time.
There are lots of very brave women who’ve been stabbed in the back by the “war on terror” and who deserve better than the minimal to non-existent supporet they get.
Petrocelli @ 23
One of Joya’s predecessors already has: meet Meena, the martyred founder of RAWA.
Bob in HI
Jeesh, I was trying to find out the Afghani parliament stats and I stumbled across the fact that Iran has a seat set aside for an Iranian Jew and another for a Zoroastrian in their Majlis.
-GSD
Bob - Thank you for mentioning RAWA and the Afghan Women’s Mission. I’ve supported RAWA over the years but had missed the information there about Joya … and I believe Jane has been a RAWA supporter as well.
It’s important that we listen to what these women have to say - about their countries and the role the US is playing there now.
a contrast to cheney’s commencement speech.
Wow — this women puts my measly efforts and willingness to accept risk to shame. I think I just might send an email and old fashioned letter about this women to Amy Klobachar (Sen. MN 6th) who voted for this last shameful capitulation bill.
She needs to stop her mouthing republican talking points and stand up for her constituents.
Let spread her name around D.C. like a vaccination against spinelessness.
Russia just saw a brutal clampdown and arrest of gay-rights demonstrators too.
Reich said Fred.
Fascism is roaring back.
-GSD
GrandmaJ @ 55
excellent plan
Stories like this, coming on the heels of the Dem capitulation last Thursday, make me realize the Dem party is unsalvageable. Even Webb voted for this disgraceful Hoyerism. Here is a woman surrounded by imminent death, and my representatives are pussified by the thought of some nasty TV ads.
Thank you Siun, you’ve opened by eyes. While Bush’s bootlickers go about their business muttering “Don’t worry about the peace crowd, who else they gonna vote for?”, most of the progressives are getting ready to get kicked in the ribs again and prove them right.
Not me. I say let’s let the Dems destroy themselves and let a real progressive party, with real candidates like Malalai rise up from the ashes. This is the only way we will bring the military industrial complex to heel.
MfI - thanks for coming by - and for a very good point. Joya makes it clear in her speeches that the WOT has hurt women in Afghanistan… and it’s clearly devastated women and children in Iraq.
CTuttle @ 36
I believe so. She just got finished with a tour of the US, where she had many public appearances.
Bob in HI
Sometimes I think we have an opaque view of what genuine courage really is. What pretends to pass for courge in this country is Bush and Cheney and the like. Not to mention most of the so called leaders in my party, the Democratic Party. It’s really restorative to know there really are people out there who are brave and principled. We just haven’t discovered them. Yet.
Over 1100 WWII vets die every day.
Notes from the tall timber this Memorial Weekend. Two film recommendations: one classic, one newly out on DVD. Face in the Crowd, Andy Griffin’s launch movie [Turner Classic Movies]. Want to see the rise of Dubya? This is a place to start.
And from the genius Clint Eastwood teaming with Stephen Spielberg, Letters from Iwo Jima, a must-see in tandem with Flags of our Fathers.
Two things that really resonated with me from Letters: the reading of the wounded Oklahoma soldier’s letter from his mother: Do what is right because it is right. [As your posting so magnificently describes, Siun.] And the general telling his men: I will always be in front of you. The Japanese general said that.
Wonder if any of the Washington
intelligentsiaelitesbubbleheads saw that? Or tonight’s powerful 60 Minutes profile of one Iowa National Guard group over the last two years? Or HBO’s Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee?Once, the great white fathers of Washington just lied to the native Americans… now, they lie to us all. Could it be that Iraq is as simple and despicable as gaming the Rove plan–not for oil, or to “establish democracy in the Middle East,” but to create and sustain a permanent NeoConRepublican hammerlock on what was our democracy?
Not for the first time either - a lot of women in South and Central America had their lives wrecked by Mr. Negropnte’s deasth squads. That was under St. Ronny the GaGa.
Can you say pattern of abusive behaviour on a massive scale?
Thought you could.
Just a note. It’s always “Afghan” and not “Afghani.” Afghanis are, or were, the coin of the realm. While “Pakistani” or “Iraqi” might be OK, “Afghani” is out.
Thank you bgpelaire - corrected.
Siun @ 53
Aloha Bob, I concur and Siun, the WOT embraces more than the Iraqi and Afghan women and children, how about all the hapless individuals’ families, whom were rendered???
I was in Honduras and Guatemala during the John Negroponte reign of terror. Some things I saw there, I want to forget.
CTuttle @ 36
Must not have watched the video(s) then. No need to ask otherwise.
And Chile … and Argentina during their “dirty war” - ugh. I’ve always had great admiration for the grandmothers of the “disappeared” who damned well won’t shut up about it.
Wordsmith @ 69
Roger, duly noted, WS!!!
Siun, what a great post about such an inspirational person. Thank you for bringing her to my attention.
CTuttle … absolutely, Afghanistan and Iraq are just part … look at Ian’s post last night and the discussion earlier today in the Book Salon.
OK Kiddo - I didn’t realize you were there then … a very dreadful time. I had friends in religious orders working in the same areas but never went myself.
When I was listening to Malalai Joya talk about the Taliban and the Northern Alliances forces who replaced them and how they are ‘no better’ but backed by the Americans, it’s reminiscent of Central & South America - all over again, especially Central. Have the Dulles brothers been reincarnated?
CTuttle @ 36
Does he?
Siun @ 73
Which religious orders, siun?
How many of our traitorous, murderous members of government remember these words?
“And for the support of this Declaration with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”
People like that don’t actually die they just suck all the decency and compassion out of their latest victim and run them for office. It’s a either a species of vampirism or a perverted transmigration of souls. I can’t quite make up my mind which
Oklahoma kiddo @ 68
Under Humanitarian causes or Uncle sent ya???
Blub @ 75
Touche!!!
Wordsmith - a lot of Jesuits (god bless ‘em!), some Maryknollers, and several orders of nuns.
Wordsmith @ 74
Yes, they came back as Condi Rice (John, State) and George Tenet (Allen, CIA)
Talk about Profiles in Courage. Now, if some of her DNA might be grafted on some American legislators, female and male….
exactly Lew!
recovered from the great vlog day? I was really tired by the time I got home but what a good time!
Lew Koch @ 83
I most robustly agree with you!!! Evening, Sir!!!
boing reverse two and a half somersault, tuck, no splash
G’evening, Siun. I look forward to your posts every Sunday night. The window you have opened to a world that our government does not want us looking through, is very enlightening. Thank you.
OT, but possibly interesting - article in the Times of London today speculating on Al Gore’s campaign infrastructure for a 2008 stealth bid
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t.....845287.ece
If accurate, this is looking more and more like a run, if you ask me
This is what a LEADER looks like. It would be nice if some of our leaders and/or candidates, especially those who routinely sacrifice their principles and courage on the altar of political expediancy, would understand this lesson of the example Ms. Joya demonstrates: Taking a strong stand inspires fervent devotion. Bold, fearless action by a candidate/official produces a loyalty and faith and political base that can never be matched by any so-called moderate or centrist. The sad irony is that those candidates who wish power for themselves would find the surest path in fearlessly taking one position rather than trying to appeal to every position -the curse of Democrats at every level, especially the top. Stand up! Speak clearly! Say loudly and proudly what you think, and give people a vision to pursue they can believe in! Don’t be afraid of what the Republicans say-they’re going to say it anyway, so you may as well do the right thing! The path to victory is bold, clear, decisive leadership toward a future most of us want. GIVE IT TO US!
Ms. Clinton, this means you.
Suzanne @ 86
10.0 on Technical Merit alone!!! Evening, Ma Cheri!!!
This is all I needed to see:
He intends to keep the public guessing about his plans all summer while the demand grows for him to run. Asked last week if he would rule himself out as a candidate, he said: “I have no desire to slam the door shut.”
C’mon President Gore, run!
nicely said, Ron
Siun @ 81
Yes. I know orders of nuns; you could list ‘em, I’d know them.
Sr. Dorothy Kazel was an Ursuline. I went to the college from which she graduated and which the Ursulines still operate. She, Jean Donovan, and the two Maryknollers - Ita Ford & Maura Clark - were all murdered by Satan himself, supported by the American gov’t. Which is why I found the video from Malalai Joya so fascinating. She called the Americans a coming wearing “the mask of democracy.”
FWIW….I came about - this close - to becoming a nun but there’s some kind of prohibition on certain things. It’s hard to explain how it happened or why it is - but “fuck” and it varied forms is one of my favoritest of words. Kim Darby & Hayley Mills be damned.
RonD … you are so right. And our congresscritters so not face armed warlords or such, just repubs for heaven’s sake!
Siun, thank you so much for telling us about Malalai Joya tonight. Her story has really put me in a contemplative mood about many things.
Siun @ 93
Dunno. Cheney’s kind of a warlord, isn’t he? :)
I dont’ think I could ever be as brave as this women is.
Siun and Wordsmith -
Bless you both -
and your friends.
LoudounLib … thank Jane for sending Joya’s tale my way. Joya has really hit my heart and thoughts too - glad you feel the same.
Wordsmith - I considered the convent at 13 but passed on the idea rather quickly. But the Hayley Mills reference puts us in the same generation!
dreamcatcher @ 82
Dulles/Dallas
Blub @ 87
That would be Awesome!!! I have only one bone to pick with that article; Brazille’s remark “If he only wins the battle of the Bulge!” WTF!!! Gore’s actual girth has nothing to do with his ‘Electability’, Gore’s Academic Girth clearly outweighs that insignificant triviality!!! I’ve said it before; I’ve pulled the lever for him once, I’ll do it again!!!
Does Donna Brazille ever actually say anything good, or complementary, or even useful?
One question.. are our nation-building rethug neocons throwing their support behind Ms Joya? Are right wing groups embracing her vision and message for the progressive and humanistic reconstruction of the lands trashed by their policies? I really want to know.
Great post and very inspiring. I have had several Afghan women as students over the last few years and have been very impressed by their grit, determination, and strength, not to mention their joy in learning and desire to improve their lives and those of their people. I really think that there is something to be said for adversity building character. All of these young women grew up under the Taliban. On the other hand, it depresses me no end to see all of the gains Afghan women made initially slowly slip away and to see the resurgence of the Taliban and the warlords.
TRex is smoking upstairs
Blub … listen to the interview at the link for Australian tv. The US is backing the warlords, not Joya.
RonD @ 101
That is a rhetorical question, Right??? *g*
dreamcatcher @ 82
This administration reminds me so much of what went on during the Reagan administration. Now, it’s just more in your face, just as reckless and arrogant, rather than so covert. Actually I’m not even sure how to describe it.
New Thread
Siun @ 105
of course, they recognize each other as kindred spirits.. think globally, act locally by trading weapons for opium and heroin.
I wonder if now is the time to mention that in South Iraq for the first time in generations that they’re growing the opium poppy again….
Delurking to say that I e-mailed all on the list. I may not comment, but I do act and just wanted you to know that the silent lurkers do.
markfromireland @ 110
And Afghanistan is supplying over 90% of the world’s heroin (not raw opium,