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VIDEO:
Tues, Oct 25 : Milwaukee, WI |
Program invitation I ANAA Testimony I Mukhtaran Testimony I Media coverage I Photo Congressional Testimony of Amna Buttar, President Asian American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights. "Encouraging change from within: the role of the United States in abating violence against women in Pakistan" I would like to thank all members of Congress for giving ANAA this opportunity today. Before I begin my statement, I would like to express my grave concern at the heinous plight of the victims of the recent earthquake in my country, and I urge all present to heed the call, sounded by many, to send more relief to Pakistan. Background : I thank you for your time and the gracious reception you have given us here at the United States Congress. We are grateful for this opportunity to speak with you today. The Asian American Network against Abuse of Human Rights is an advocate for victims of violence in Pakistan who face virtually insurmountable obstacles in seeking justice for themselves and in seeing justice meted out to their perpetrators. As Mukhtar Bibi's testimony will make clear to you today, many forms of violence against women: rape, gang rape, honor killing, acid attacks, domestic violence, are rampant and go unpunished. Magnitude of the Problem : As reported over the past five years, approximately 2,291 cases of gang rape and over 3000 cases of rape have been reported to the police. (See Appendix 1). In the first six months of this year alone, over three hundred women were murdered in the name of honor. It is important to remember that these numbers represent only the cases that are reported in the media and to the police; it is estimated that the true number of crimes against women is significantly higher. The actual numbers are estimated to be far greater. Legal Obstacles Women like Mukhtar who are not deterred by the social ostracism of family members and choose to pursue justice against their perpetrators face a legal system that does not recognize rape as a crime. For instance, the Hudood and Zina Ordinances that remain in effect today, fail to consider rape a crime unless a rape victim can produce "four adult male Muslim eye-witnesses" who "witnessed the act of penetration". If a rape victim is unable to produce these witnesses she stands to be convicted for fornication or adultery. Over 90% of women in Pakistani jails are serving sentences under these Ordinances. Furthermore, the police themselves malign the victim and make no efforts to collect evidence, arrange medical examinations, or apprehend perpetrators. Sociocultural Obstacles : The vast majority of Pakistan is still controlled by feudal landlords. Their control over peasant populations relies on the maintenance of archaic and repressive regimes and they have an utter disregard for human rights, especially women's rights. One of the means of wielding control over peasant populations are the tribal "jirgas" or councils of village elders and leaders, who routinely order vengeance on hostile tribes by ordering the rape, abduction and killing of women. The social taboos against the reporting of such crimes worsen the ghastly situation as families, fearing social ostracism, actually encourage rape victims to commit suicide rather than report their crimes. The Role of the U.S Congress : ANAA's campaign represents the struggle against religious extremism and the repressive silence imposed by misogynistic values. Our mission is to effectuate a repeal of laws such as the Zina Ordinance, that punish rape victims instead of rapists, deny justice to victims of violence, and impose a regime of silence on the women of Pakistan. The United States Congress has tremendous power to help us in our struggle to achieve this goal. As an ally of Pakistan, you have the power to urge the Government of Pakistan to put an end to the subjugation and mistreatment of women under repressive laws. In today's Pakistan, no resources or legal safeguards exist to protect either the urban woman who works at the local bank or the village woman who goes to fetch water from the local well. Yet as Mukhtar Bibi's courage has showed you today, the Pakistani woman is courageous and strong. To encourage the strength you see in Mukhtar Bibi today, I urge you to issue a public statement expressing your support for our campaign against all laws that discriminate against women. In expressing your public support you will demonstrate to thousands of women that speaking up against injustice and for freedom is an act of courage that will be lauded all over the world. ANAA's recommendations to the U.S Congress: We would like the United States Congress to pass a House Resolution urging the Government of Pakistan to do the following:
I thank you sincerely for this opportunity and look forward to working with you in this struggle towards achieving human rights for all. Sincerely, Amna Buttar, M.D. President Asian American Network against abuse of Human Rights (ANAA) |
