Demand changes to Iran's discriminatory laws

9.49.10am GMT Mon 2nd Oct 2006

London's Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Baroness Sarah Ludford has signed a petition launched by a group of women's rights activists in Iran demanding changes to discriminatory laws against women.

The 'One Million Signatures Demanding Changes to Discriminatory Laws' campaign is a follow-up to the peaceful protest which took place in June in Tehran. The instigators point out that their demands for reform do not clash with Islamic law but call on the Iranian government to eliminate discrimination in accordance with its commitments under the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights.

Women have become increasingly active in Iranian society and the workplace, including serving in parliament and local government. But although women comprise two-thirds of university entrants, they have fewer rights than men and are discriminated against under Iranian law.

Baroness Ludford commented:

"This campaign is part of a crucial effort to raise awareness both within Iran and abroad about the injustices of Iranian law and practice towards women. It is an important initiative to make women's voices heard and I would strongly encourage people to sign up."

"It is nothing to do with issues concerning Iran's foreign or nuclear policy or with neo-con rhetoric about the regime belonging to 'an axis of evil'. This is a simple and clear demand for domestic human rights."

Notes:

To sign the petition: http://we-change.org/spip.php?article19

For more information about the Campaign: www.we-change.org; or write to the Campaign Organizers at: forequality@gmail.com

Full text of petition:

We the undersigned, representing international women's groups and activists, human rights organizations and activists, university and academic centers, and social justice initiatives, would like to express our support for Iranian women in their effort to reform laws and achieve equal status within the Iranian legal system.