Defend International participated in the General Assembly Interactive
Hearings with
NGOs which took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York on
14-15
June 2010. President
of D... Read More ...
Nigeria: New International Fact-finding Report on the Situation of HR Defenders
The
Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint
programme of
the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the International
Federation
for Human Rights (FIDH), and F... Read More ...
DI joins 2010 Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence
Defend International has joined IANSA (International Action Network on Small Arms) and other NGOs in 110
countries to
mark the Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence, 10 - 16 May. ... Read More ...
Nuclear Weapons: Historic Opportunity to Ensure They Will Never Be Used Again
States
have an historic opportunity to bring the era of nuclear
weapons to an end once and for all, the International Committee of the
Red
Cross (ICRC) said in Geneva recently.... Read More ...
Syria: Arbitrary Detention of Leading Human Rights Activist
Defend International (DI) has been informed by reliable sources
of the case of Mr. Abdul-Hafiz Abdul Al-Rahman, a leading human rights activist
in Syria.
DI believes that he is a priso... Read More ...
Morocco: 2009 Women Conference in Quneitra
Written by DI International Relations Committee
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Women Conference in Quneitra
DImembers in Morocco are calling for the elimination of social, cultural, political and economic discrimination against women. "Women have the right to equal treatment and to make decisions free from discrimination", says DI spokesperson.
Morocco: A conference on Women and Discrimination
In support of lifting the oppression and discrimination against women, DI member organisations: The Democratic Organization for National Office of Drinking Water and National Protection of Public Property in Morocco, organized a conference on January 11, 2009, on "Eliminating Discrimination Against Women".
The conference brought together nearly 500 women, local NGO leaders and community activists. Maintaining power under a system of structural inequality requires the acquiescence of the oppressed. Women in Quneitra are experiencing political, economic and social discrimination. Today women in Quneitra are maintaining their power and identity in the face of these challenges.
Testimonies from victims and survivors of the excessive use of force by security forces in Morocco described how their political, social and economic rights have been violated. They highlighted also how the security forces deliberately used arms against them - actions which have caused not only permanent disabilities but also long term trauma. The conference included lively discussions and Q&A sessions.
DI urges the Moroccan authorities to:
Take the necessary steps to combat discrimination against women;
Respect democratic principles and human rights;
Respect guidelines that prohibit the use of arms and weapons against peaceful demonstrators; and to
End discrimination against women in all its forms.
To view a video from 2009 Women Conference in Quneitra click here.
