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LCHR News Alert: Afghan journalism student sentenced to death for downloading material deemed "offensive to Islam"
The Leadership Council for Human Rights condemns the decision of the Afghan Parliament to endorse the death sentence of 23-year-old Balkh University journalism student, Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh. Mr. Kambakhsh was arrested in October 2007 for downloading material relating to the role of women in Islamic societies, which was considered offensive to Islam. A provincial court reached a verdict that Mr. Kambakhsh committed blasphemy and will be sentenced to death for his crime.
LCHR President Kathryn Cameron Porter denounced the recent endorsement, saying, “If the American Ambassador to Afghanistan can’t stop this – what good are we? It is outrageous that we as humans are allowing these actions to occur. The verdict of Mr. Kambakhsh is a result of the closed-mindedness of small men. I am gravely concerned about the fate of not only Mr. Kambakhsh, but other citizens whose human rights – particularly the right to a fair trial – have been violated.”
The international human rights community as well as Reporters Without Borders has heavily criticized the court’s decision as the trial was less than fair. During his hearing, Mr. Kambakhsh was not permitted to make any statements and his sentencing was rushed without proper regard for the law. He was not even allowed a lawyer for his defense. In a statement, the group added, “Kambakhsh did not do anything to justify his being detained or being given this sentence.” The organization, which promotes freedom of press also urges “President Karzai to take a swift and clear decision in this case, which threatens press freedom in his country.”
For the full article on Mr. Kambakhsh’s arrest, click here.
To read further statements from Reporters Without Borders, click here.
To sign a petition asking the Afghan Ambassador to reverse Kambakhsh’s conviction, click here.
Afghan parliament endorses court decision on journalist’s death sentence
The Afghan Meshrano Jirga (Council of the Elders) has announced their endorsement of the recent court sentence condemning a journalism student to death, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reported Thursday.
Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh, a 23-year-old journalism student, was recently sentenced to death for blasphemy for distributing an article that questioned the Koran’s verses on the rights of women. The Meshrano Jirga endorsed the court’s decision to condemn Kambakhsh for, “insulting Islam and misinterpretation of Holy Koran verses.” The endorsement was reportedly signed by the chairman of the upper house, Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, a religious scholar and former mujahedeen leader.
The Meshrano Jirga also criticized the international community for, “pressuring Afghanistan’s government and legal authorities when pursuing such people.” International journalists and civil societies groups have deplored the verdict as unjust.
For the full article, click here. |
