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October 23, 2005
Afghanistan: Two Year's Jail for Blasphemy
Earlier today, we brought you the story of the editor of an Afghan monthly magazine who was facing jail on charges of blasphemy against Islam. Since writing that piece there has been bad news, not just for the editor, but for all those in Afghanistan who value free speech and democracy.
Ali Mohaqiq Nasab, who published a monthly women's magazine called Womens' Rights (Haqooq-i-Zan), has been sentenced today. According to a report from the Scotsman, Mr Mohaqiq Nasab has been sentenced to two years' jail.
His crime had been to publish two articles. One questioned if it was right to stone women to death for adultery, and the other stated that giving up Islam (apostasy) should not be treated as a crime punishable by death, as it is in some interpretations of sharia.
The Scotsman stated that:
The case underlines the fragility of press freedom in the nascent democracy and highlights a struggle between religious moderates and extremists over what form Islam will take in Afghanistan as foundations are laid for its future.I am glad that this case has been published, and hope that Ali Mohaqiq Nasab, who has campaigners from within Afghanistan and in the world outside supporting him, will have some justice, and be released.
This is a sign that Afghanistan under Hamid Karzai is not moving towards equality and justice. Already several warlords appear to be gaining seats in the new parliament, the Wolesi Jirga, following the initial results of ballot-counting from the election of September 18.
Posted by Giraldus Cambrensis at October 23, 2005 8:18 PM
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