Dear Friend,

We are writing to give you an update on One Law for All.

Rights for All Turkey

First, let’s begin with the good news. We are very pleased to announce that Rights for All Turkey is being established to defend secularism and equal rights in that country. It’s an important development given the role of Turkey’s secularists in challenging Islamism. The group will be affiliated with One Law for All. We look forward to our continued and close collaboration with our secularist friends in Turkey and the region. Here’s more information.

Two-day International Conference

To further highlight Islamism and the religious-Right’s assault on rights and freedoms and to strengthen the international front of secularists, One Law for All is organising a two-day international conference in London during 11-12 October 2014 with the organisation Fitnah. Notable speakers will join the conference to discuss and debate the Arab uprisings, Sharia and religious laws, the burqa and conspicuous religious symbols, freedom of expression and Islamophobia, faith schools and religious education, reproductive rights and secular values, amongst other topics. Details of the conference can be found here. Please put the date in your diary and get your tickets soon so you can take advantage of the discounted early bird special rate.

Other Events and Burka Debate

Given the renewed debate on the burka and niqab (face veil), we will be discussing the issue at a 15 October event at the LSE. We’ll also be speaking on women’s movements at the House of Lords and on Sharia law, secularism and the burka in Brighton, Salisbury and New York City. For more details, visit here.

In the past few months, we have been to Tunbridge Wells, Boston, Edinburgh, Marseilles, Manchester, Leicester, Dublin and Sutton in order to mobilise support and raise awareness on Sharia courts. Recently too, Maryam Namazie was awarded Dods Women in Public Life’s 2013 Journalist of the Year for her blogging and campaigning work in support of women’s rights. You can find out more here.

Passion for Freedom Festival

During 2-9 November 2013, the One Law for All-affiliated Passion for Freedom will be holding its 5th annual festival. Shortlisted artists will exhibit works at the UNIT24 Gallery together with special guest artists Mehdi-Georges Lahlou and Firoozeh Bazrafkan. Judges selecting the winning piece will be Anda Rottenberg, Sarah Maple, Deeyah and Nick Cohen. More information can be found here.

Thanks for your Support

Of course we couldn’t do any of this without your support. Thank you for your financial donations and in-kind help including as volunteers, by providing free meeting space at a local language school and by helping with design, editing, and more.

We want to particularly thank those of you who donate on a monthly basis; it has made a world of difference being able to depend on regular support. We need a lot more help so please do join our small but important group of monthly donors or give us a one off donation if you can. Here’s information on how to donate. We also still need more volunteers and office space in central London if you can help.

We look forward to continuing – together – our fight for secularism, rights and equality in the months and years to come.

Warmest wishes
Maryam Namazie
Anne Marie Waters
Spokespersons
One Law for All
BM Box2387, London WC1N 3XX, UK
tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
email: onelawforall@gmail.com
web: http://www.onelawforall.org.uk/

Company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales under company number 8122621.