FEMEN: Congratulations on your act of solidarity with Sakineh and against capital punishment

Dear activists of Femen

We wanted to write and congratulate you on your act of solidarity with Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and your opposition to ‘state-sanctioned murder.’

Whilst Ukrainian officials were ‘ashamed’ of your display and stood firmly with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s killing machine, we, as women’s rights campaigners who have been leading the fight for an end to stoning and execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and others felt strongly that it was an important act in defence of women’s rights and human dignity. This is particularly so given the silence of so many feminists who seem to have succumbed to the racist concept of cultural relativism that implies that women choose to live the way they are forced to. Clearly though, women everywhere want to live lives worthy of the 21st century and not under medievalism and religious rules.

Acts of real human solidarity like yours helps to further support Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and others in her situation as well as mobilising opposition to stoning, execution and the misogyny of Sharia law.

We look forward to working closely with you from now on and know you will continue to support our efforts.

Warmest regards

Mina Ahadi and Maryam Namazie

Mina Ahadi
International Committee against Execution
International Committee against Stoning
Email: minaahadi@aol.com
Tel: 0049 (0) 1775692413
http://notonemoreexecution.org
http://stopstonningnow.com/wpress/

Maryam Namazie
Iran Solidarity
BM Box 2387
London WC1N 3XX, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 7719166731
iransolidaritynow@gmail.com
www.iransolidarity.org.uk
iransolidarity.blogspot.com