Heeding Pakistani Protest, U.N. Blocks Talk by Rape Victim (Spineless UN alert)

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/21/international/asia/21nations.html?hp&ex=1137906000&en=54f1e8fb5d8c ^ | 1/21/2006 | WARREN HOGE

[Dark Skies]

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 20 - Mukhtar Mai, the Pakistani woman whose defiant response to being gang-raped by order of a tribal court brought her worldwide attention, was denied a chance to speak at the United Nations on Friday after Pakistan protested that it was the same day the country's prime minister was visiting.

Ms. Mai had long been scheduled to make an appearance called "An Interview With Mukhtar Mai: The Bravest Woman on Earth" in the United Nations television studios, sponsored by the office for nongovernmental organizations, the Virtue Foundation and the Asian-American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights.

But on Thursday night the organizers were informed that the program would have to be postponed because of Pakistan's objections.

Ms. Mai is leaving New York on Saturday so the effect was to cancel her appearance.

Asked at a news conference why Pakistan had taken the action, the prime minister, Shaukat Aziz, said: "I have no idea. You have informed me and so have some other people as I was walking in. I don't know how the place functions."

The Pakistani Mission did not return calls seeking comment.

In 2002, a village council sentenced Ms. Mai to be gang-raped for the supposed misconduct of her brother. Pakistani women in such circumstances often commit suicide, but Ms. Mai instead successfully challenged her rapists in court. She gave the compensation money she received to schools in her remote district.

On a previous visit to New York in November, Ms. Mai, also known as Mukhtaran Bibi, was hailed in a video tribute by Laura Bush at a Lincoln Center banquet as a person who "proves that one woman really can change the world."

Mr. Aziz is scheduled to see President Bush in Washington next week.

[Dark Skies]

This is important article that somehow slipped under the wire. It may be from the NYTimes but, for once, they got it right.

[pcottraux]

Did you get the ping to my last FReeptoon? I knew you especially would like it.

[Dark Skies]

Hey PC!

I did...I meant to write and tell you how much I enjoyed it, but I got sidetracked. Keep up the good work.

DS

[pcottraux]

Great.

I just have to make sure my fans are happy.

[Hetty_Fauxvert]

She gave the compensation money she received to schools in her remote district.

This is not quite correct, according to previous articles I have read. She *created* schools for girls where none existed before. She herself did not know how to read or write, but enrolled as a student in her school in order to learn. She is a courageous and incredible woman.

The UN should hang its collective head in shame. Better yet, they should give her more funds for schools as compensation for their cowardice.

[MNJohnnie]

Meanwhile we are suppose to be all upset because in killing 3 of the top 5 Al Qeda leaders, we supposedly killed 18 Paki tribals.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

You will notice that there are not very many Pakistani women seen protesting on the video clips which adds to my disgust at the Pakistani's hypocritical concern toward "innocent women and children" being killed in the airstrike. If these bastards even suspected their wives or daughters of an act of indiscretion they would viciously kill them. The only reason why they are pissed is because we attacked Pakistani territory-that's all.

[Dark Skies]

One of the neat trick of islam is that it directs blame outward onto others. Since women are tempting, it must be their fault, hence honor killings. True islamics, by this facet, are removed from much guilt but they have in its place this free-floating sense of shame.

A truly muslim man cannot grow in character (unless he steps out of the influence of islam)...and he is also deprived of the sense of accomplishment that comes from recognizing personal weakness and overcoming it. Also, he is deprived of the deep, abiding love that western men are permitted to feel for their wives and daughters.