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Women's
groups met in Delhi to discuss follow up in the
case of Imrana's rape. Attached is the statement
for the AIMPLB.
To
All
India Muslim Personal Law Board
First
Floor
76A/1
Okhla Main Market
New
Delhi
We,
representatives of women’s groups, democratic
rights groups, and others have been deeply troubled
by the developments in the case of Imrana’s
rape in Muzaffarnagar district of Uttar Pradesh.
The
inhuman diktat by the community panchayat in the
case has been only the start of injustice against
Imrana. There have been regressive discussions
among politicians, elected members, community
leaders and the media around what is essentially
a case of violence against women, irrespective
of religious, caste or community identity. Additionally
disturbing have been attempts to turn this case
into a Uniform Civil Code vs Muslim Personal laws
debate..
Yet,
we are outraged by the contrary positions taken
and the problematic role played by the AIMPLB.
On one hand has been the initial statement of
members like Naseem Iqtedar Ali Khan supporting
the ‘diktat’. And now has come the most
damaging statement from the AIMPLB claiming that
Imrana was never raped — supposedly on the
grounds that there is not enough space, privacy,
or evidence of struggle by Imrana to prove the
case!
Clearly
your all-male ‘fact-finding’ team is
unaware that in case after case of rape, it has
been amply proven that the none of grounds mentioned
in their ‘findings ‘ are valid. In fact,
the Supreme Court - in response to demands of
women’s groups across the country –
maintains that the starting point in rape cases
is the woman’s statement. Hence the position
taken by the AIMPLB is hasty, callous, and lacks
an understanding of issues relating to violence
against women.
In
doing so, the AIMPLB has ‘passed judgment’
on the case before the law can take its course.
Hence
the AIMPLB has failed to stand by Imrana and her
hopes for justice, undermined the seriousness
of the crime committed, strengthened perpetrators
of such crimes and revealed your lack of commitment
to women’s rights.
Hence
we urgently demand that:
-
You immediately retract your statement and the
‘findings’ of your team in Imrana’s
case.
-
Extend full support to Imrana in her battle
for justice.
- As
community leaders, send out a clear message
against violence against women.
Issued
by the following groups and individuals:
Institute
for Social Democracy, Delhi ;Jagori, Delhi
; Farah
Naqvi – Individual; Nirantar,
Delhi ;Saheli,
Delhi ;Sama,
Delhi ;Cehat,
Mumbai
In
case you want to endorse the release , you can
mail it to sama_womenshealth@vsnl.net
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