Observatory |
Pro–abortionists score a point The judgement was a major victory in the fight to stop the "domestic terrorism" of some anti–abortion lobbies. The ‘Nuremberg Files’ includes not only names but also home addresses and car license–plate numbers of many abortion doctors and the names of their spouses and children. At least seven people working at abortion clinics around the US have been killed in recent years, and more than 250 clinics providing abortion facilities have been sites of bombing and arson. The anti–abortion lobby however, intends to appeal against the decision claiming that nothing in their material advocated violence and therefore a case of unlawful intimidation was not justified and the ruling was an encroachment on the right to freedom of speech. Several of the defendants have simply refused to pay. "I could not in good conscience give money to an industry that thrives on killing children," one defendant, Catherine Ramey, said and likened her lobby to fighters for racial justice. Planned Parenthood and the other plaintiffs, urging prosecutors around the country to consider bringing criminal charges against the organisations, said the material served "to threaten the lives of doctors who courageously serve women seeking to exercise their right to choose abortion." ‘Christian Taleban’ in Pakistan Infuriated with years of persecution and discrimination in the country, Christians in Pakistan have taken up arms in "self–defence". Reportedly, several Christians infiltrated hard–line Islamic organisations, spent months training in camps in Afghanistan and Pakistan and have now equipped themselves with the enemy’s own guerrilla tactics. Armed defence organisations, modelled along the extremist Islamic groups, such as the Sipah–e–Masiha group set up by the Bishop of Lahore, are springing up in various places in Pakistan. Christian leaders opposed to violent means, fear the eruption of a civil war in Pakistan. Father Bonnie Mendes, while saying that the ways of peace, must be stressed to these youths, added that the government "must face up to realities and make changes, as we are heading for a very dangerous situation". Increased attacks against Christians in Pakistan and the Nawaz Sharif government’s bid to impose Islamic law, have reportedly provoked the move towards violence. One such militant, calling himself Simon Mujahid, said he had taken up arms because the Christians in Pakistan needed protection. He said he had "spent several months training in the camp. Since coming back we have bought weapons and are ready for attack". In Peshawar, taking after their teachers, the Taleban, the Christian militants have even enforced a strict moral code on members of the community. ‘Rape–resistant’ Jeans? Women MPs (in jeans) held aloft banners against the decision in Parliament while also making strong charges of sexism. "If we go on like this, every woman that doesn’t wear a chastity belt will have the right to be raped", said Sonia Viale of Parliament’s equal opportunities commission. The ruling has brought to attention a larger problem that plagues the appeals court and makes such a ruling possible. The appeals court has only 10 female justices and 410 male justices. The male bias has been obvious in previous rulings as well. In 1997, the court had ruled in a case of sexual harassment filed by a secretary against her boss, that the boss was in love and was simply being gallant when he had kissed her. The woman had been fired after she spurned his advances. The ruling in the rape case, however, sets a dangerous precedent. As pointed out by veteran female justice, Simonetta Sotgiu, "It paves the way for the rape of women in jeans". The outrage has been strong and immediate, and the ruling has lent itself to much ridicule. One union official said sarcastically, "We thank the court for having enriched women’s wardrobes with a new garment. To the business suit and the little black dress, we can now add the anti–rape outfit, a comfortable and resistant pair of jeans". A housewives’ federation, planning a march to the justice ministry in jeans, also offered a prize to any designer who comes up with "easy–off jeans"! Medieval laws for Bangla Hindus Valentine’s Day ‘un–Islamic’ |