Malalai Joya: Difference between revisions
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'''Malalai Joya''' ({{lang-fa|'''ملالی جویا'''}}) (born [[April 25]], [[1978]]) is an [[Afghan]] politician who has been called "the bravest woman in Afghanistan."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.democracynow.org/2007/6/19/the_bravest_woman_in_afghanistan_malalai |title='The Bravest Woman in Afghanistan': Malalai Joya Speaks Out Against the Warlord-Controlled Afghan Government & U.S. Military Presence |accessdate=2008-12-08 |work=[[Democracy Now!]] |date=2007-06-19}}</ref> As an elected member of the [[Wolesi Jirga|Parliament]] from Farah province, she has publicly denounced the presence of what she considers warlords and war criminals in the parliament. |
'''Malalai Joya''' ({{lang-fa|'''ملالی جویا'''}}) (born [[April 25]], [[1978]]) is an [[Afghan]] politician who has been called "the bravest woman in Afghanistan."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.democracynow.org/2007/6/19/the_bravest_woman_in_afghanistan_malalai |title='The Bravest Woman in Afghanistan': Malalai Joya Speaks Out Against the Warlord-Controlled Afghan Government & U.S. Military Presence |accessdate=2008-12-08 |work=[[Democracy Now!]] |date=2007-06-19}}</ref> As an elected member of the [[Wolesi Jirga|Parliament]] from Farah province, she has publicly denounced the presence of what she considers warlords and war criminals in the parliament. |
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In May 2007, Joya was suspended from the parliament on the grounds that she had insulted fellow representatives in a television interview. Her suspension, which is currently being appealed, has generated protest internationally and appeals for her reinstatement have been signed by high profile writers, intellectuals such as [[Naomi Klein]] and [[Noam Chomsky]], and politicians including Members of Parliament from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.<ref |
In May 2007, Joya was suspended from the parliament on the grounds that she had insulted fellow representatives in a television interview. Her suspension, which is currently being appealed, has generated protest internationally and appeals for her reinstatement have been signed by high profile writers, intellectuals such as [[Naomi Klein]] and [[Noam Chomsky]], and politicians including Members of Parliament from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.<ref>http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/17264 International appeal at Znet</ref> Joya has been compared to the symbol of Burma's democracy movement, [[Aung San Suu Kyi]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Whitfield |first=Gina |date=2007-11-05 |title=Malalai Joya: "truth has a very strong voice" |
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|journal=[[Rabble News]] |url=http://www.malalaijoya.com/rabble2.htm |accessdate=2008-12-08}}</ref> She was scheduled to address the European Parliament in May 2008. According to an article in Publishers Weekly, Joya is currently writing a memoir with Canadian writer [[Derrick O'Keefe]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Thortnon |first=Matthew |date=2008-04-16 |title=LBF Updates: Afghanistan's Most Famous Woman Looks for a Publisher |journal=[[Publishers Weekly]] |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6551815.html |accessdate=2008-12-08}}</ref> |
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==Early and personal life== |
==Early and personal life== |
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⚫ | The daughter of a former medical student who lost a foot while fighting the [[Soviet invasion of Afghanistan]], Malalai Joya was 4 years old when her family fled Afghanistan in 1982 to the [[Afghan refugees|refugee camps]] of [[Iran]] and later [[Pakistan]]. After the Soviet withdrawal, Malalai Joya returned to [[Afghanistan]] in 1998 during the [[Taliban]]'s reign. As a young woman she worked as a social activist and was named a director of the non-governmental group, ''Organisation of Promoting Afghan Women's Capabilities (OPAWC)'' in the western provinces of [[Herat]] and [[Farah]]. |
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{{Unreferencedsection|date=December 2008}} |
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<ref name=guardianweekly>{{cite news |first=Saundra |last=Satterlee |title=A brave woman in Afghanistan |url=http://www.guardianweekly.co.uk/?page=editorial&id=836&catID=1 |publisher=[[The Guardian Weekly]] |date=2008-12-01 |accessdate=2008-21-08}}</ref> She is married. |
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⚫ | The daughter of a former medical student who lost a foot while fighting the [[Soviet invasion of Afghanistan]], Malalai Joya was 4 years old when her family fled Afghanistan in 1982 to the [[Afghan refugees|refugee camps]] of [[Iran]] and later [[Pakistan]]. After the Soviet withdrawal, Malalai Joya returned to [[Afghanistan]] in 1998 during the [[Taliban]]'s reign. As a young woman she worked as a social activist and was named a director of the non-governmental group, ''Organisation of Promoting Afghan Women's Capabilities (OPAWC)'' in the western provinces of [[Herat]] and [[Farah]]. |
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==Historic speech at the Loya Jirga== |
==Historic speech at the Loya Jirga== |
Revision as of 13:56, 21 December 2008
Malalai Joya (Template:Lang-fa) (born April 25, 1978) is an Afghan politician who has been called "the bravest woman in Afghanistan."[2] As an elected member of the Parliament from Farah province, she has publicly denounced the presence of what she considers warlords and war criminals in the parliament.
In May 2007, Joya was suspended from the parliament on the grounds that she had insulted fellow representatives in a television interview. Her suspension, which is currently being appealed, has generated protest internationally and appeals for her reinstatement have been signed by high profile writers, intellectuals such as Naomi Klein and Noam Chomsky, and politicians including Members of Parliament from Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain.[3] Joya has been compared to the symbol of Burma's democracy movement, Aung San Suu Kyi.[4] She was scheduled to address the European Parliament in May 2008. According to an article in Publishers Weekly, Joya is currently writing a memoir with Canadian writer Derrick O'Keefe.[5]
Early and personal life
The daughter of a former medical student who lost a foot while fighting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Malalai Joya was 4 years old when her family fled Afghanistan in 1982 to the refugee camps of Iran and later Pakistan. After the Soviet withdrawal, Malalai Joya returned to Afghanistan in 1998 during the Taliban's reign. As a young woman she worked as a social activist and was named a director of the non-governmental group, Organisation of Promoting Afghan Women's Capabilities (OPAWC) in the western provinces of Herat and Farah. [6] She is married.
Historic speech at the Loya Jirga
Malalai Joya gained international attention in December 2003 when, as an elected delegate to the Loya Jirga convened to ratify the Constitution of Afghanistan, she spoke out publicly against the domination of warlords. In response, Sibghatullah Mojaddedi, chief of the Loya Jirga called her "infidel" and "communist". Since then she has survived four assassination attempts, and travels in Afghanistan under a burqa and with armed guards.[7]
World Pulse Magazine (Issue 1, 2005) wrote:[verification needed]
…When her time came to make her 3-minute statement, she tugged her black headscarf over her hair, stepped up to the microphone, and with emotional electricity made the speech that would alter her life.
After she spoke, there was a moment of stunned silence. Then there was an uproar. Male mujahideen, some who literally had guns at their feet, rushed towards her, shouting. She was brought under the protection of UN security forces.
In a nation where few dare to say the word "warlord" aloud, Joya had spoken fiercely against a proposal to appoint high clergy members and fundamentalist leaders to guide planning groups. She objected that several of those religious leaders were war criminals who should be tried for their actions—not national heroes to influence the new government.
Despite the commands of Assembly Chairman, Joya refused to apologize.[This quote needs a citation]
Joya's controversial stance against other members of the Loya Jirga have earned her much popularity as well as heavy criticism from her political opponents.
Political appointments and speaking engagements
Joya was elected to the 249-seat National Assembly, or Wolesi Jirga in September 2005, as a representative of Farah Province, winning the second highest number of votes in the province.[8]
She has continued her stance against the inclusion of former mujahideen in the current government of Afghanistan.
The BBC has called Joya "the most famous woman in Afghanistan." In a January 27, 2007 interview with BBC News Joya commented on her personal political mission amid continuous death threats, saying:
"They will kill me but they will not kill my voice, because it will be the voice of all Afghan women. You can cut the flower, but you cannot stop the coming of spring."[1]
In 2006, The Washington Post said of Joya: "Her truth is that warlords should not be permitted to hide behind "the mask of democracy to hold on to their chairs" and their pernicious pursuits at the expense of poor, "barefoot" Afghans who remain voiceless and disillusioned. The warlords are corrupt "war criminals" who should be tried, and incorrigible "drug dealers" who brought the country to its knees, she said."[9]
Malalai Joya appeared at the Federal Convention of Canada's New Democratic Party (NDP) in Quebec City on September 10, 2006, supporting party leader Jack Layton and the NDP's criticism of the NATO-led mission in southern Afghanistan. She said, "No nation can donate liberation to another nation."[10]
On September 13 she addressed gatherings at McGill University in Montreal and at the University of Ottawa, where she expressed her disappointment with American involvement in Afghanistan.[citation needed]
Malalai was in Sydney, Australia, on March 8, 2007, as a guest of UNIFEM, speaking about women's rights in Afghanistan in honor of International Women's Day.[11]
Malalai returned to Canada in November 2007 and addressed 400 people at the Steelworkers Hall on Cecil Street in Toronto. She then addressed a small group of union activists and activists at the Ontario Federation of Labour.[citation needed]
In November 2008 Malalai visited Norway Social Forum, and spoke before the 1900 participants. She also participated in a debate with the Norwegian Foreign Minister, and asked Norway to pull its troops out of Afghanistan.[12]
Parliament statements, attack, and ouster
On May 7, 2006, Malalai Joya was physically and verbally attacked by fellow members of parliament after accusing several colleagues of being "warlords" and unfit for service in the new Afghan government. "I said there are two kinds of mujahedeen in Afghanistan," Joya told the Associated Press. "One kind fought for independence, which I respect, but the other kind destroyed the country and killed 60,000 people." In response, angered lawmakers shouted death threats and threw empty plastic water bottles at Joya, who was shielded by sympathetic colleagues.[13][14][15]
In response to such threats, Joya continues to speak out against those she believes to be former mujahedeen in Afghanistan, stating:
"Never again will I whisper in the shadows of intimidation. I am but a symbol of my people's struggle and a servant to their cause. And if I were to be killed for what I believe in, then let my blood be the beacon for emancipation and my words a revolutionary paradigm for generations to come."[16]
On May 21, 2007, fellow members of the Wolesi Jirga voted to suspend Malalai Joya for three years from the legislature, citing that she had broken Article 70 of the Parliament, which had banned Wolesi Jirga members from openly criticizing each other. Joya had compared the Wolesi Jirga to a "stable or zoo" on a recent TV interview, and later called other members of parliament "criminals" and "drug smugglers."[17] She is reported to have referred to the House as "worse than a stable", since "(a) stable is better, for there you have a donkey that carries a load and a cow that provides the milk."[18]
Joya said the vote was a "political conspiracy" and that she had been told Article 70 was written specifically for her saying "since I've started my struggle for human rights in Afghanistan, for women's rights, these criminals, these drug smugglers, they've stood against me from the first time I raised my voice at the Loya Jirga."[20]
In a statement Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, wrote: "Malalai Joya is a staunch defender of human rights and a powerful voice for Afghan women, and she shouldn't have been suspended from parliament."[21]
People in Farah, Nangarhar, Baghlan, Kabul and some other provinces of Afghanistan staged protests against suspension of Joya.[22]
On June 21, 2007, one month after Joya was suspended, Joya supporters in Melbourne staged protests to the Afghan government to reinstate Joya to the parliament.[23] In November 2007, an international letter was launched with a number of prominent signatories supporting the call for her reinstatement to the Afghan Parliament.
On April 18, 2008, the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, unanimously adopted a resolution at its 182nd session in Cape Town in favour of Malalai Joya which "Calls on the authorities at the same time to do everything in their power to identify and bring to justice those making the death threats against Ms. Joya." [24]
On October 7, 2008, six women Nobel Peace Prize laureates in the history of the Nobel Prize (Shirin Ebadi, Jody Williams, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchu, Betty Williams and Mairead Maguire) in a joint statement supported Malalai Joya: "We commend this courage, and call for Joya’s reinstatement to Afghanistan’s national parliament… Like our sister Aung San Suu Kyi, Joya is a model for women everywhere seeking to make the world more just." [25]
Joya's historic 2-minute speech
Her speech in the Loya Jirga Meeting, Kabul, Afghanistan (December 17, 2003):
My name is Malalai Joya from Farah Province. By the permission of the esteemed attendees, and by the name of God and the colored-shroud martyrs of the path of freedom, I would like to speak for a couple of minutes.
My criticism on all my compatriots is that why are they allowing the legitimacy and legality of this Loya Jerga come under question with the presence of those felons who brought our country to this state.
I feel pity and I feel very sorry that those who call Loya Jerga an infidel --basically equivalent to blasphemy. After coming here their words are accepted, or please see the committees and what people are whispering about. The chairman of every committee is already selected. Why do you not take all these criminals to one committee so that we see what they want for this nation? These were those who turned our country into the nucleus of national and international wars. They were the most anti-women people in the society who wanted to [makes pause] who brought our country to this state and they intend to do the same again. I believe that it is a mistake to test those already being tested. They should be taken to national and international court. If they are forgiven by our people, the bare-footed Afghan people, our history will never forgive them. They are all recorded in the history of our country.[26]
Controversy and criticism
- Joya has more recently drawn harsh criticism from some female parliamentary members who contend that her remarks pertaining to the Mujahideen, who battled the Soviets, are unwarranted and disingenuous. [27] However, Joya's supporters contend that Joya distinguishes between the "real Mujahideen," who fought for the independence of Afghanistan, and the warlords and those who committed war crimes. Nevertheless, Joya's distinction remains unclear as some local warlords fought for Afghanistan's independence during the Soviet War.
- Joya sparked more controversy by accusing Afghan officials of "trying to use the country's Islamic law as a tool with which to limit women's rights." [28]
Awards
- January 2004, The Cultural Union of Afghans in Europe, awarded her the "Malalai of Maiwand" award for her brave speech in the Loya Jirga.[30]
- December 2004, the Valle d'Aosta Province of Italy awarded her the International Women of the Year 2004 Award.[31]
- March 15, 2006, Mr. Tom Bates, Mayor of Berkeley presented a certificate of honor to her for "her continued work on behalf of human rights".[32]
- March 2006, she got the "Gwangju Award for Human Rights 2006" from May 18th Foundation in South Korea.[33]
- Aug.2006, the Women's Peacepower Foundation awarded Joya "Women of Peace award 2006". [34]
- She was named among the "1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005"[35]
- The World Economic Forum selected Joya among 250 Young Global Leaders for 2007.[36]
- 2007 Golden Fleur-de-Lis (Giglio d'Oro) award given by Town Council of Toscana Region of Italy (July 23, 2007).[37][38]
- September 11, 2007, The European Parliament named Joya among five nominees for Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2007.[39]
- October 6, 2007, Commune of Viareggio city of Italy awarded her the Mare Nostrum Award. [40]
- October 9, 2007, Commune of the Provincia di Arezzo, Comune di Bucine and Comune di Supino in Italy present Honorary Citizenships to her.[41]
- February 11, 2008, Malalai Joya and the documentary "Enemies of Happiness" was honoured with the "International Human Rights Film Award" by Amnesty International, Cinema for Peace and Human Rights Film Network. The award was given to her by two times academy award winning acress Hilary Swank. [42]
- October 6, 2008, Malalai Joya received Anna Politkovskaya award in London which is given to courageous women who've defended human rights. [43]
- October 21, 2008, Regional Council of Tuscany (Italy) presented Malalai Joya a Gold Medal. [44]
Films
- Malalai Joya champions rape victims, 2008, by Glyn Strong.
- Enemies of Happiness 2006, directed by Eva Mulvad.
- A Woman Among Warlords (2007). Directed by Eva Mulvad. Aired on the Wide Angle TV series in September 2007.
- Afghanistan Unveiled 2004, by Nicolas Delloye, Aina Productions
References
- ^ a b Coghlan, Tom (2006-01-27). "Afghan MP says she will not be silenced". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ "'The Bravest Woman in Afghanistan': Malalai Joya Speaks Out Against the Warlord-Controlled Afghan Government & U.S. Military Presence". Democracy Now!. 2007-06-19. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/17264 International appeal at Znet
- ^ Whitfield, Gina (2007-11-05). "Malalai Joya: "truth has a very strong voice"". Rabble News. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ Thortnon, Matthew (2008-04-16). "LBF Updates: Afghanistan's Most Famous Woman Looks for a Publisher". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ Satterlee, Saundra (2008-12-01). "A brave woman in Afghanistan". The Guardian Weekly. Retrieved 2008-21-08.
{{cite news}}
: Check date values in:|accessdate=
(help) - ^ "UN guarding loya jirga delegate". BBC News. 2003-12-18. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ http://www.results.jemb.org/results.asp?ElectionID=1&ProvinceID=25&Order=Vote[dead link ] Wolesi Jirga Results
- ^ Boustany, Nora (2006-03-17). "An Afghan Voice That Fear Won't Silence". Washington Post. p. A16. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ http://www.ndp.ca/page/4194[dead link ] Afghan politician says NATO mission has not brought more peace to the region, New Democratic Party of Canada, 2006-09-08.
- ^ Quigley, Anita (2007-03-07). "Quiet voice of Afghan women". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
- ^ Skrevet (2008-11-10). "Malalai Joya: Troops must leave Afghanistan! - Hent soldatene hjem!". Retrieved 2008-12-08.[unreliable source?]
- ^ Afghan lawmaker attacked by other legislators by Amir Shah, The Seattle Times, 2006-05-09.
- ^ Woman MP is attacked in a blow for democracy by Tim Albone, Times Online, 2006-05-09.
- ^ Afghan legislator attacked for views by Amir Shah, The Boston Globe, 2006-05-09.
- ^ http://www.worldpulsemagazine.com/issues/1/the_woman_who_defies_warlords[dead link ] The woman who defies warlords, World Pulse Magazine.
- ^ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/world/4821465.html[dead link ]
- ^ Associated Press, "Woman lawmaker tossed for insult". May 22, 2007
- ^ http://www.consiglio.regione.toscana.it/agenzia-stampa/Comunicati-stampa/comunicato/testo_comunicato.asp?id=11185
- ^ Afghan parliament suspends outspoken female lawmaker after critical TV interview, International Herald Tribune, 2007-05-21.
- ^ Afghanistan: Reinstate MP Suspended for ‘Insult’, Human Rights Watch, 2007-05-23.
- ^ Afghan protesters demand restoration of membership of lawmaker, People's Daily Online, 2007-05-30
- ^ Pro-Joya demonstration in Australia, Pajhwok Afghan News.
- ^ Inter-Parliamentary Union: AFGHANISTAN CASE N° AFG/01 - MALALAI JOYA
- ^ http://www.nobelwomensinitiative.org/news-event-news/41/277-nobel-laureates-honour-afghan-recipient-of-international-human-rights-award
- ^ http://youtube.com/watch?v=iLC1KBrwbck
- ^ http://youtube.com/watch?v=5zn9fG4LQdE
- ^ Malalai Joya: My country is using Islamic law to erode the rights of women
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EXoRlYKya0
- ^ يادداشتی بر آخرين تحولات لويه جرگه قانون اساسی
- ^ Donna dell'anno 2004
- ^ Document scan
- ^ 518.org
- ^ Women of Peace Award 2006 to Joya
- ^ PeaceWomen across the Globe
- ^ The Forum of Young Global Leaders
- ^ Ufficio Stampa - Comune di Firenze
- ^ YouTube
- ^ Sakharov Prize 2007: five nominees announced
- ^ Joya received Mare Nostrum Award
- ^ Malalai Joya: la guerra di una ragazza contro la guerra
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//080211/ids_photos_en/r629583635.jpg/ Joya is awarded International Human Rights Film Award 2008
- ^ http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L6424359.htm
- ^ http://www.consiglio.regione.toscana.it/agenzia-stampa/Comunicati-stampa/comunicato/testo_comunicato.asp?id=11185
External links
- A brave woman in Afghanistan - The Guardian Magazine, December 1, 2008
- Bearing Witness: The Afghan Tragedy, By Malalai Joya - The Nation Magazine, October 7, 2008
- Afghan MP receives courage award - Channel 4 (UK), October 6, 2008
- Bravest Woman in Afghanistan Podcast Interview with Malalai Joya by the International Museum of Women. July 16, 2008.
- "Canada should change its policy on Afghanistan," by Malalai Joya, Rabble News, March 3, 2008
- Defense Committee for Malalai Joya
- "Suspended Afghan parliamentarian to visit Canada", by Gina Whitfield, Rabble News, October 24, 2007
- Malalai Joya: courage under fire - Telegraph Magazine, September 29, 2007
- Interview with Malalai Joya:"The 'war on terror' is a mockery!" - AfterDowningStreet.org, September 24, 2007
- The woman vs. the warlords: a post-9/11 story - The Ottawa Citizen , September 11, 2007
- Because Someone Had to Do It - The American Prospect Magazine, June 25, 2007
- It's hard to imagine a more brave parliamentarian than Malalai Joya - The Progressive Magazine, June 10, 2007
- Afghan parliament suspends outspoken female lawmaker after critical TV interview - The Associated Press, May 21, 2007
- Quiet voice speaking up for Afghan women - The Daily Telegraph, March 07, 2007
- Interview with Malalai Joya: Afghan woman armed with a strong voice - NOW on PBS, March 2, 2007
- ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS Winner in the 2007 Sundance Film Festival - Deseret Morning News, January 29, 2007
- Afghan MP Malalai Joya opens the fall season of Ottawa University's "Science in Society"Course
- Afghan Legislator, Malalai Joya - Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Dec 29, 2005
- Malalai Joya: Confronting Afghan warlords - The Peninsula (Qatar's Daily) , Nov 24, 2005
- Profile: Malalai Joya - BBC News, Nov 12, 2005
- The Woman Who Defies Warlords - World Pulse Magazine, 2005
- Malalai Joya is part of modern Afghan history - Agence-France Presse, Oct 24, 2005
- Female foe of warlords faces them in Afghan assembly - Reuters, Oct 6, 2005
- The women of Afghanistan find a leader - New Statesman, Sept 19, 2005
- Malalai Joya Discusses Continuing Violence and Upcoming Elections in Afghanistan - Democracy Now, Sept 13, 2004
- A populist hero emerges from under the rule of the gun - The Globe and Mail, July 27, 2004
- Joya Speech Breaks Wall of Silence - Institute for War and Peace Reporting, Dec 22, 2003
- Delegate lashes out at Afghan council - Associated Press, Dec 17, 2003
- An Afghan Voice That Fear Won't Silence - By Nora Boustany, The Washington Post, March 17, 2006
- Malalai Joya listed as top highlight of 2006 - Seven Oaks Magazine, Dec 31, 2006
- Karzai government treats women as brutally as did the Taliban: An Interview With Afghan MP Malalai Joya by Asad Ismi, CCPA Monitor, December 2007-January 2008
- Malalai Joyia: On a visit to the Ontario Federation of Labour. 06 November, 2007, Toronto, Ontario. Flickr.
Videos
- Movie Clip of Loya Jirga incident
- Movie Clips of Malalai Joya on Youtube.com
- Video Interview with Malalai Joya at Docs That Inspire, June 14, 2007
- Malalai Joya interview, from Democracy Now! program, June 19, 2007