Council is dominated by a bloc of states that often condemn ‘defamation of religion’ and ‘Islamophobia.’… Read the rest
All entries by this author
Criticism of Sharia or Fatwas Forbidden at UNHRC 
Jun 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Ruling follows attempts by Egyptian and Pakistani delegates to silence criticism of human rights abuse.… Read the rest
UNHRC Bars All Debate on Sharia
Jun 21st, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
President ruled that only Muslim scholars can be permitted to talk about Islam in the Council.… Read the rest
Forced marriages and Divorce…and kangaroo sharia courts
Jun 21st, 2008 | By Gina KhanI was asked to speak about forced marriages on a local radio show; I didn’t get to say a lot in a few minutes but there is a lot to be said under the current climate.
I wasn’t actually ‘forced’ into an arranged marriage. I was slowly coerced, manipulated and brainwashed by my dad and his family members over a short period of time, when I went on holiday with him at the age of 16. Soon after arriving, I was given some clothes and a ring. My engagement was announced without my knowledge or consent. I thought it was just a gift from my uncle. He had taken me shopping. I chose the ring and clothes myself without any … Read the rest
The human what council?
Jun 21st, 2008 11:40 am | By Ophelia BensonDavid Littman of the Association for World Education makes a joint statement with the International Humanist and Ethical Union to the UN Human Rights Council, in which they denounce the stoning to death of women accused of adultery and the marriage of girls age nine in countries where Sharia law applies. The UNHRC heartily agrees, right?
… Read the restThe speaker, David Littman, was interrupted by no fewer than 16 points of order and the proceedings of the Council were suspended for forty minutes when the Egyptian delegate said that “Islam will not be crucified in this Council” and attempted to force a vote on whether the speaker should be allowed to continue. On giving his ruling after the break Council President Costea
Ben Goldacre on the Utility of Being Ripped Off
Jun 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The pricier it is, the more we trust it.… Read the rest
Turkish Judge Throws Out Child Choir Case
Jun 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The choir was accused of spreading propaganda for the PKK.… Read the rest
Ohio Teacher Taught ID in Science Class
Jun 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Freshwater was told to stop teaching ID and creationism, but he continued, the report found.… Read the rest
Ohio Teacher Burns Cross Onto Students’ Arms
Jun 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘With the exception of the cross-burning episode’ he is teaching the values of the parents, says a friend.… Read the rest
Scientists Rally Against Creationist Superstition
Jun 20th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Steve Jones said religious students say he is ‘telling lies and insulting people’s religion’ by teaching evolution.… Read the rest
Journalist Murdered in Mosul
Jun 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Attack bears the hallmarks of a number of armed groups that are the scourge of the press in Iraq.… Read the rest
Iran Blocks More Feminist Websites
Jun 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Sites backed campaign to gather a million signatures opposing discriminatory laws against women.… Read the rest
Iran Arrests 9 Women, 5 of Them Journalists
Jun 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Part of government’s continuing persecution of women who use online publications to defend their rights.… Read the rest
Turkish Court Acquits Owner and Editor of Agos
Jun 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Serkis Seropyan and Aris Nalci had published an editorial on journalists’ sentences.… Read the rest
More Opposition Supporters Killed in Zimbabwe
Jun 19th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Civic leaders, rights groups, Western diplomats say the violence is largely the work of ZANU-PF.… Read the rest
Health Report From Zimbabwe
Jun 19th, 2008 | By Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human RightsZADHR is deeply concerned about the continuing violent trauma being inflicted on the Zimbabwean population. The escalation in numbers and severity of cases of systematic violent assault and torture during May was of a scale which threatened to, and for brief periods did, overwhelm the capacity of health workers to respond. Both first line casualty officers and specialists, especially surgeons and anaesthetists, to whom patients were referred had great difficulty in adequately managing the burden of serious physical trauma.
ZADHR commends the efforts of health professionals in Zimbabwe who continue to provide the highest possible quality of health care to victims of violence under extremely difficult circumstances.
In addition to individuals with significant physical injuries, members of ZADHR saw over … Read the rest
How to train girls for the harem
Jun 19th, 2008 11:31 am | By Ophelia BensonWarren Jeffs lectures the girls at ‘Alta Academy’ – Alta Academy being the pseudo-school inside the walls of the FLDS compound. The teachings give an interesting insight into the ‘beliefs’ and practices of Jeffs and his subjects.
… Read the restThe Lord on purpose has sent us into this world to meet the two opposite powers, and we must choose. And I testify to you young ladies the right, the eternal way, is Priesthood. If Priesthood is not involved in something, we should not want it. The holy Priesthood is the eternal power where God himself places his nature into a man. The women do not bear the holy Priesthood, but they have the power of that Priesthood in them through their husbands
Saying is not imposing
Jun 18th, 2008 4:46 pm | By Ophelia BensonWhat is fanatical atheism? Dan Gardner had some thoughts in the Ottawa Citizen last year.
In the past, I’ve tried to avoid talking about religion in such sharp terms. It’s not that I fear giving offence (which would be something of a limitation in my line of work). Rather, I know, as all humans do, that it’s scary knowing you’re going to die. And if belief in angels on high eases the existential fears of some, I won’t begrudge them. Whatever gets you through the night, as a long-haired prophet once said.
Sure. I don’t go to funerals so that I can tell the assembled mourners that there are no angels on high. I don’t force my views on anyone. … Read the rest
Judith Shapiro on Anti-intellectualism
Jun 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Many who advocate teaching creationism do so in the name of providing a ‘balanced’ curriculum. … Read the rest
Steven Pinker Interviwed
Jun 18th, 2008 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
What might feel like freewill from the inside is not some mysterious violation of the laws of physics.… Read the rest
