World’s Women For Life

“Protect life, Improve life, Celebrate life.”



World’s Women For Life is Launching its First Field Project to Promote Life and Preemptive Peace. Summer 2009, Northern Iraq.

Press Release
July 18, 2009
The newly formed NGO, World’s Women For Life, and its dedicated volunteer force of distinguished founders, scholars, activists, writers, educators, and secular and religious leaders from around the world, are meeting in northern Iraq to launch the first field chapter of this organization.

Background:
In March 2009 a team of activists, including psychiatrist and renown author David Kazzaz, M.D.; prominent human rights advocate Mrs. Soraya Fallah, M.A.; life-long activist and scholar Saman Shali, Ph.D.; and dedicated human rights advocate and professor Sharon Linzey, Ph.D., put their decades of experience and expertise together to create World’s Women For Life. The philosophical underpinnings of this movement are contained in the “Life Manifesto: a Guide to a Safer World,” written by David Kazzaz. The founders’ vision is to embark on a cultural campaign against the culture of death by empowering women in conflict-ridden areas and nurturing life worldwide. The founders established World’s Women For Life with the expert professional assistance of a varied and well-balanced advisory board in Denver, Colorado. The organization is secular and humanistic in nature and transcends all borders.
Summer 2009 Project:
The first project to be undertaken by WWFL will begin in north Iraq. The twenty-one member ‘Culture of Life’ delegation believes that it is important to assist the people of Iraq in rebuilding their society during this volatile time. With the culture of death and extremism evident, WWFL can plant the seed of hope for children and adults while encouraging men and women to teach the message of life to the next generation. The delegation will focus on reinforcing educational principles that discourage cultural attitudes of harm to self and others. During the past year much hard work has been done by passionate volunteers to prepare for this venture. These efforts have stretched over long hours for both the activists in Iraq and those visiting from around the world. The delegation is excited to advocate for a movement that will bring us closer to a day when people cherish the blessings of life rather than worship martyrdom. Some of WWFL’s future plans in Iraq involve the building of a center to provide shelter for potential victims of honor killing. WWFL will also sponsor workshops to teach college students and community activists how to continue WWFL’s services once the delegation is no longer present to share. Members of the delegation plan to meet with several ministers and government agencies to stress the need to invest in early childhood education and the role of women in non-violent engagement.
Please visit the WWFL website listed below to learn more about the biographies of the members of the Culture of Life delegation; the full story of World’s Women For Life; Dr. Kazzaz’ “Life Manifesto: A Guide to a Safer World”; the delegation’s plans in Iraq; and how you can get involved, contribute, or fund current or future projects.
Contact Person: Cklara Moradian
Email: info@wwfl.org
Tel: 408-421-9444
Fax: 818-700-0933
Website: www.wwfl.org

The day of Global action for Iran(United for Iran) UCLA Los Angeles

United For Iran

UNITED4IRAN IN LOS ANGELES

UNITED4IRAN IN LOS ANGELES

Join Us in Showing Solidarity with Iranians in an Evening of
Music, Poetry, Speech, Message of Solidarity...
with well-know Artists, Poets, Singers

Join us on for a rally in support of the Iranian people and in condemnation of the human rights abuses being committed by the Iranian government.

We came together to organize a Global Day of Action on July 25th so the citizens of the world can stand together for:

1) Civil and human rights for the people of Iran
2) Stopping the abuse of power—the imprisonment, torture and killing
3) Solidarity with the Iranian people. To our Iranian brothers and sisters: We have heard your voices, and you are not alone.


Saturday July 25, 2009 - 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Bruin Plaza, 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90024

MORE INFO: WWW.UNITED4IRAN.ORG

Iran Update: Prominent Lawyer and Many Demonstrators Detained as Rafsanjani Calls for the Release of Prisoners

Iran Update:  Prominent Human Rights Lawyer and Many Demonstrators Beaten and Detained as Rafsanjani Calls for the Release of Prisoners   (18 July 2009)  Government agents tear gassed peaceful demonstrators, beat and kidnapped a leading human rights lawyer today, while Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former president and leading cleric, called for the intelligence and security force to obey the law and for the release of detained reformists and protesters. According to eyewitnesses who reported to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, unidentified individuals in plain clothes violently confronted human rights lawyer Shadi Sadr as she was walking to Friday Prayers with several friends, pushed her into an unmarked automobile and drove off.  Sadr is a prominent women's rights activist, NGO leader and lawyer who has defended numerous death penalty cases.  Sadr subsequently telephoned  her husband to ask the pin code of  her cell phone and she confirmed  she had been arrested and was detained in ward 209 of Teheran's Evin prison.  Her  husband reported that intelligence officers had searched his house and requested   the keys to her legal office.  The Campaign is seriously concerned about Shadi Sadr's health and safety in prison.  She suffers from gland and bone problems, needs medication, and was scheduled to have an operation next week. Several other human rights lawyers, including  Abdolfattah Soltani,  Kambiz Nourouzi and Mohammed Ali Dadkhah, have been detained in recent days. Numerous protesters were arrested as police used tear gas to suppress a large crowd of demonstrators. An eye witness told the Campaign that in the spot he was  he saw at least 40 people severely beaten and arrested by plain clothes agents if they carried green symbols with them. The eye witness said some detainees were taken away in the trunks of unmarked cars.  Information about the detainees and injured have not been officially released. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expresses its serious concerns for the situation of the detainees. The Campaign emphasizes that the fate of more than two thousand people arrested since the 12 June elections remains unclear and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. Given the lack of accountability and transparency of the Judiciary regarding the large numbers of detainees and disappeared persons, the United Nations and the Human Rights Council should immediately send special envoys to Iran to investigate the grave situation of human rights and hold the authorities accountable.   For the latest human rights developments in Iran visit the Campaign's website at www.iranhumanrights.org   For more information:   Hadi Ghaemi, in New York: +1 917-669-5996  Aaron Rhodes, in Vienna:  +43 676-635-6612     This message was sent from Hadi Ghaemi to sorayaf40@yahoo.com. It was sent from: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Laan van Meerdervoort 70, 4e floor Nl, The Hague, NI 2517 AN, Netherlands. You can modify/update your subscription via the link below. Email Marketing by Manage your subscription

Seminar on Human Rights in Iran By Art in Mind

Saturday July 11, 2009 at 5:00 pm


IVC, Room B209, 5500 Irvine Center Dr. 92618, Tel. 949-451-5100

Speakers and topics:


Dr. Ardi Anoshiravani is a physician, a psychiatrist, a writer, and a speaker. He has written extensively about psychology of the Gathas, the divine songs of Zarathushtra, and is a lecturer in the field of ancient Persian culture and history. Dr. Anoshiravani will speak on the women's rights in the Zoroastrian Era.

Mrs. Soraya Falah is a former Kurdish political prisoner. She has studied international law, and is an advocate of human rights in general and women's rights in particular. She will give an update on the violation of human rights and peaceful movement in Iran.

Dr. Fereshteh Bethel is a faculty at California State University, Fullerton. She has practiced as a Clinical Psychologist and as an educator has traveled to different countries and spoken on the Baha'i Faith and social issues, persecutions, and progression in spiritual teachings. She will speak on the violation of human rights of the Baha'is in Iran.

Dr. Kamal Artin is a physician, a psychiatrist, an essayist, and a satirist. He argues in words and images how piracy as the reign of the pirates, by the pirates, for the pirates differs from democracy as the government of the people, by the people, for the people.

The seminar is conducted in English. Video clips relevant to human rights as well as clips of folks, classic, and modern music will be presented during the intervals. At the end of the program there will be a panel discussion and Q & A. Light refreshment will be provided.

Attendance is free of charge and open only to 18 and above. Seats are limited. For reservation please contact: july2009@art-in-mind.org

A Memorial Night with Silent Protest & Candle Light Vigil for the Brave Martyrs of Iran

ندای جانباختگان

هر شب ستاره ای به زمین می کشند و باز این آسمان غمزده غرق ستاره هاست

A Memorial Night with Silent Protest
& Candle Light Vigil
for the Brave Martyrs of Iran

شبی با حضور شاعران و هنرمندان موسيقی در سوگ جانباختگان ايران

UCLA Bruin Plaza
(Outside Ackerman Union) 308 Westwood Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90024
Saturday June 27 - 7 pm to 10 pm
Closest Parking: Parking Structure 4 and 6

This is a peaceful silent event. Please bring no Iranian flag or signs.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=91861614797

ندای جانباختگان مراسمی با آرامش و سکوت است. لطفا هيچ گونه پرچم و پلاکارد نياوريد

Iran: Stop using Basij militia to police demonstrations

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE 22 June 2009 Iran: Stop using Basij militia to police demonstrations   Following reports from Iran that members of the Basij militia have used excessive force against demonstrators - and in light of the history of abuses committed by this unaccountable branch of the security forces - Amnesty International calls on the government of Iran to stop using the militia to police demonstrations with immediate effect.   The Basij militia is a volunteer paramilitary force of men and women under the control of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC).  Its members are found in schools, universities, state and private institutions, factories, and even among tribes.  Basij forces are widely used to help to maintain law and order and repress dissent, and have frequently been accused of using extreme brutality. Many of those who took part in the recent demonstrations claim non - uniformed and armed personnel, whom they believed to be members of the Basij militia, used excessive force and carried out human rights violations – including beatings and use of firearms - against demonstrators on the streets. A video of a member of the Basij shooting from an building used by the Basij during the demonstrations on Monday 15 June in which at least 8 people were killed should have triggered an immediate investigation by the authorities and clear instructions should have been issued to prevent further loss of life. Another video of a young woman identified as Neda, dying apparently from a chest wound, has been widely circulated amid claims of involvement of Basij members. The response of the Iranian authorities has not been to open a proper investigation to clarify the circumstances of any death but rather to issue further warnings that protests will be handled in a 'revolutionary manner' by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the Basij militia and other police and security forces. "Iranians wishing to peacefully express their opposition to recent events surrounding the election have no space to do so, as they are met with violence that has been legitimized by the highest authority in the land," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme.  "It's time for the Iranian authorities to allow peaceful protest and to remove the Basij from the streets.  The policing of any demonstrations should be left to the police or other security forces which are properly trained and equipped." Following the speech from Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Friday demanding an end to the protests, there were further demonstrations on Saturday in Tehran and other cities and towns across the country.  13 people were killed according to the authorities and many more were injured. According to the government, over 400 people were arrested.     Another demonstration of about 1,000 people in Tehran on Monday has been met with tear gas and arrests. "Recent statements from the police, who denied opening fire on protestors, and from the Tehran Prosecutor-General, who blamed the killings on 'armed terrorists', look like an attempt to disassociate state organs from responsibility for violence," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. "This is all the more reason to stop using the Basij as there is no way for the public to even identify them, let alone bring them to account for violations.  If the Iranian authorities are not able to control such a militia, they should disband it. It is irresponsible to provide weapons and then to relinquish responsibility when abuses occur". Amnesty International calls on the Iranian authorities to investigate fully all reports of death, including possible extrajudicial executions, and to bring anyone found responsible to justice. Public Document ****************************************

Amnesty International cites "shocking" beating of Iran protesters

http://www.monsters andcritics. com/news/ middleeast/ news/article_ 1483491.php/ Amnesty_Internat ional_cites_&quotshocking&quot_beating_ of_Iran_proteste rs_   London/Washington - The human rights organization Amnesty International Sunday condemned reports of excessive violence by Iranian security forces against people protesting the results of Friday elections and called for an investigation. 'The shocking scenes of violence meted out by the security forces need to be urgently investigated and those responsible for human rights violations must be brought to justice,' said Hassiba Hadj, an AI official, in a statement e-mailed to dpa in Washington. Hadj is deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa programme of the London-headquartere d organization. Amnesty International said that at least 170 people were arrested on Saturday as supporters of Iran's opposition leader Mir-Hossein Moussavi protested the results that declared President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad re-elected by a 62 per cent majority. Iranian police said 60 people had been arrested as some protestors threw rocks at store windows and carried out other acts of violence. Amnesty International said it had reports that plain-clothes security forces used batons to beat and disperse many non-violent individuals, causing many injuries. The report cited several incidents, saying University of Tehran students had reportedly been chased by 100 riot police. It said police on motorcycles had beat Moussavi supporters who were staging a peaceful sit-in in Tehran's Vanak Square. According to the rights organization, protests had spread to other cities including Rasht, Mashahd, Shiraz, Ahwaz, Zahedan and Oroumiye. 'We deplore that the new presidential term is heralded with widespread abuses,' the group said. 'Amnesty International considers anyone arrested simply for demanding transparency and for questioning ther esults of the electionis to be a prisoner of conscience who shoudl be immediately and unconditionally released.' __._,_.___ . __,_._,___

Withhold Recognition of Iranian Presidential Election Results

Withhold Recognition of Iranian Presidential Election Results

Danger of Extreme Violence—a “Tehran Tiananmen”

(13 June 2009) The international community should not recognize the results of Iran’s 12 June 2009 presidential election, which gives all signs of having been manipulated by government authorities to produce a massive victory for incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, according to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. The Campaign further recommended that the existing results be voided and new elections held in order to establish legitimacy.

As the Campaign reported earlier, the leading challenger to Ahmadinejad, Mir Hossein Moussavi, was informed by Iran’s Interior Ministry at 23:00 on 12 June that tabulated results showed him to be victor, and he was asked to wait on celebrations until Sunday.

A few hours later, the Ministry inexplicably reversed itself declaring a massive victory for Ahmadinejad. Iran’s religious Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ignoring turmoil in the Ministry and rising protests, announced the victory and declared the process finished.

“The international community cannot accept such questionable election results, and should withhold recognition of these elections,“ stated Hadi Ghaemi, spokesperson for the Campaign.

“All must help the authorities understand that there will be no social peace in Iran and no credibility for the government abroad, without a re-run to discover which candidate actually deserves to govern,” he said.At this time, Iran has been thrown into an unprecedented crisis of legitimacy. Thousands of Iranian citizens expressing their outrage, shock, and humiliation are facing the extreme danger of lethal violence at the hands of police and security forces in Tehran and throughout Iran.

“The stage has been set for a Tehran Tiananmen, in which massive violence will be unleashed in an attempt to intimidate the citizens from pursuing their dream of democracy,” Ghaemi said, referring to the 1989 massacre of many hundreds of Chinese pro-democracy demonstrators.

The Campaign called upon all of Iran’s partners in the international community to strongly denounce not only the election process, but the government’s violent attempts to quash legitimate protests.

The Campaign believes that a government can neither serve the Iranian people at home nor represent them abroad under the cloud of suspicion that exists at the present time. Only new elections, conducted with transparency, accountability, and with independent observers can rectify the situation. The international community must do its responsible part to bring about this solution by withholding recognition of the 12 June results.

For the latest human rights developments in Iran visit the Campaign’s website at www.iranhumanrights.org

For more information:

Hadi Ghaemi, in New York: +1 917-669-5996

Aaron Rhodes, in Vienna: +43 676-635-6612