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Iraqi Women Attacked for Removing Headscarves, NGO Says March 7, 06 BAGHDAD (IRIN) -- Since the fall of Saddam Hussein in early 2003, the number of women attacked for choosing not to wear head scarves and veils has more than tripled, according to the Women's Rights Association (WRA), a local NGO in the capital, Baghdad. "Women are being killed because they don't wear headscarves and veils," said WRA spokeswoman Mayada Zuhair. "A life is being taken because of a simple piece of cloth, and someone should prevent more women from being killed by these ignorant people who that believe honour depends on what you're wearing." According to WRA, there have been 80 attacks to date against women and reports of four women being killed by their families in 2005. This is compared too 22 attacks between 1999 and March 2003 and one death. "Women's interest in using headscarves/veils in Iraq has decreased, not because they've forgotten their religion, but because, when Saddam's regime was ousted, modernism and development stood before us and everyone wanted to be part of the change," Zuhair maintained. "Not wearing the headscarf/veil is one of the characteristics of modernisation." Zuhair explained that the choice not to wear headscarves is much more pronounced in the capital because society there is more open to modernisation. This is opposed to the south of the country, where traditional family life has changed very little since the war in 2003. "It's difficult to say how many women wear headscarves and veils," Zuhair added. "But, before 2003, roughly, seven out of 10 were wearing scarves and coverings, whereas now, four in 10 do." The three recent deaths happened in and around the capital, according to Zuhair. Two of them were single girls found walking in local markets without the covering, while the other two were married women who had abandoned their scarves and veils after marriage at the request of their husbands, Zuhair explained. Often, women receive threats but are too afraid to seek help from organisations such as the WRA, Zuhair said. In many cases, fearing reprisals, women who feel threatened will ask a friend to approach the association for them, she added. Some women have reportedly been kept prisoners in their own homes or have received threats from parents or relatives. Occasionally, the WRA has requested protection for women from police, but conservative social attitudes often prevent what is commonly viewed as "interference" in private matters. "Police interference is very difficult. In most cases, the husband is the one who has to search for help because we can't interfere in issues related to traditional values," Zuhair noted. "The husband is the only one who has this right." According to Sheikh Ali Muthilak, a spokesman at the Rahman mosque in Baghdad, women become the "property" of their husbands after marriage. "The husband makes decisions about their lives," he said. "Sometimes you get the impression that women are vegetables that can be easily exchanged, without feelings or ideas." Compounding the problem, the law allows for abuses against women, say women's rights activists. The Iraqi Penal Code, for example, states that "the penalty for killing a woman should be reduced if a crime was committed for reasons of honour". A so-called "honour killing" is where a woman's relative kills her for what is described as an act which brings dishonour to the family. Not covering up, according to Zuhair, can be perceived as such an act. Yehia Abdul Salam, 37, says his wife was strangled by her father in Baquba, some 70 km north of the capital. "My wife, Leila, was killed by her father because she went to visit him without her veil, which I asked her to take off after our marriage," said Salam. "They [the parents] thought she had destroyed the honour of her family, and death was her penalty." Leila's father has never been investigated for the crime, Salam added. Meanwhile, the Iraqi police describe the issue as "delicate," involving a volatile mix of religion and tradition cultivated by Iraqi Muslim families for decades. "We're in a Muslim country if you interfere in family cases concerning veils, you're considered a betrayer of Islam," explained police officer Ali Zacarias. "We cannot touch such cases." Rahman Ala'a, a senior official in the interior ministry, blamed the constitution for not setting down women's rights more clearly. "For the police to interfere in women's rights issues, we need to have it well explained in the constitution, which at present doesn't address such issues," he said. Zuhair concluded that the challenge was therefore left to Iraqi women to assert their rights for themselves. ----

Who are the Christians of Iraq?  March = Addar (a's as in Art)  Iraqi Women Attacked for Removing Headscarves, NGO Says March 7, 06 Car bomb in Turkey injures Assyrian March 6, 06 ASSYRIAN CHRISTIANS KEEP THE FAITH  March 5, 06 "Christians do not wants to leave Iraq for good" March 4, 06 Iraqi Catholics Donate to Rebuild Samarra Mosque March, 3, 06 Relatives and friends gather at store where 2 were slain March 3, 06 A Preliminary Investigation into Assyrian Identity March 3, 06 Firodil Institute Meets The Christian Fair Trade Group March 2, 06  UNESCO funding reconstruction of destroyed mosques but not Churches March 2, 06 Christian Churches in Iraq Subjected to Synchronized Terrorism March 1, 06 February = Eshvadt  A better System of Government for Iraq Feb 28, 06 Exiled in a Museum, the Dream of Peace  Feb. 26, 06 Kurdish Minister Has No Objection to Assyrian Christian Administrative Area Feb. 25, 06 Vatican to Muslims - practise what you preach Feb. 24, 06 The tombs of Ur reveal treasures Feb. 23, 06 Rosie Malek-Yonan To speak at Berkely University Feb. 23, 06 IRAQI CHURCHES BOMBED: LINK WITH DANISH CARTOONS  Feb. 22, 06 Assyrian movie at the multimedia theater in Ankawa  Feb. 21, 06 Policies and Politics Iraq Three years on Feb. 21, 06 The Roman Catholic Church Role in Promoting Chaldean identity for the Catholic Assyrians Feb. 18, 06 Assyrians of Netherlands Concerned About Refugees Being Sent Back  Feb. 17, 06 Terrorism against Christianity in Pakistan Feb. 17, 06 Brought Up To Hate Feb. 17, 06 Christian and Muslim Victims of Violence  Feb. 17, 06 Assyrian-Americans Reach Out to Relatives Displaced By Iraq War Feb. 17, 06 Talabani: Autonomy for Turkmens in Kurdistan Feb. 16, 06 Ending the Exodus of Iraq's Most Vulnerable Feb. 15, 06 Christians targeted in cartoons row Feb. 14, 06 Muhammad Cartoon Protests Move Into Turkish Christian Town Feb. 14, 06 Press Release by the Assyrian Society of United Kingdom Feb. 13, 06 Iraqi Parliament Member Once Sentenced by Death of Hussein Feb. 12, 06 Iraq dignitary's visit marred by bomb threat Feb. 10, 06 SUA condemns the violence and terror against the Christians of Iraq  Feb. 10, 06 We Are Not Arab-Americans Feb. 10, 06 An Interview with Yonadam Kanna Feb. 9, 06 Lebanon bishops express solidarity with Iraqi Christians Feb. 9. 06 Ba-oota d' Ninevayee or the Fast of the Ninevites Feb. 8, 06 Chaldo-Assyrian Iraqi lawmaker speaks to backers in El Cajon Feb. 8, 06 For Iraq's Persecuted Assyrians, a Safe Haven is the Only Solution Feb. 8, 06 The Christian Role on Iraq's Fragmented Streets Feb. 6, 07 Brotherhood of cabbies joins ranks to mourn murdered driver Feb. 6, 6 Iraq Islamic Group Asks Christians to Stop Prayers in Churches Feb. 6, 06 How do Mohammad's caricatures affect the Assyrians? Feb, 6, 06 Protesters Torch Danish Mission in Beirut and ransacked the Christian neighborhood Feb. 6.06 Ongoing Hidden Persecution of Christians In Iraq  Feb 5, 06 Protests Over Muhammad Drawings Intensify Feb. 3, 06  PRESENTATION OF AN ACADEMIC TEXTBOOK "CLASSICAL ASSYRIAN LANGUAGE" IN YEREVAN Feb. 3, 06 Iraq Christians on Edge As Cartoon Row Escalates Feb. 3, 06 Enough Is Enough - Six Assyrian Christian Churches Bombed in Iraq! Feb. 2, 06 Proposal for an Assyrian Regional Government Basic Law Feb. 2, 06 Ghetto-blaster: Cantons for Assyrians and Yazidis along with the Turkomans Feb. 2, 06  Christian Watchdog Groups Say Iraqi Christians 'Endangered,' Fear Mass Exodus Feb. 2. 06 Iraq Christians Urge Westerners to Refrain from Inflaming the Situation. Feb. 2, 06 Legislation seeks to limit NGOs in Iraq  Feb. 2, 06 January = Canoon Kharaya  Iraq's Simultaneous bomb attacks killed 3 Christians Jan. 31, 06 British House of Commons Holds Hearing on Assyrian Genocide Jan. 31, 06 IRAQ: Sectarian tensions on the rise Jan. 31, 06 The World's Silence over Terrorizing Christians in Iraq Jan. 30, 06 Explosions target Christian churches in Iraq Jan. 30, 06 US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Comments about Iraq Jan. 28, 06 Insurgents Driven From Tal Afar in Northern Iraq: US Commander Jan. 27, 06 Saga of Assyrians in Iran comes to life in works by Turlock artist Jan.27, 06 Azerbaijani Soldiers Desecrate Armenian Christian Cemetery Jan. 25, 06 Iraq's WMD Secreted in Syria, Says Former Iraqi General Jan. 25. 06 The Armenians appreciate the Assyrian efforts for Seyfo's recognition. Jan. 25, 06  Cash meant for Iraqis 'misused' Jan. 25, 06 Explosion Rocks Baghdad's Assyrian District Jan. 25, 06 UC Berkeley Course "Assyrians, the Forgotten Ones" Jan. 25, 06 Moslem Protesters set Fire to a Christian House of Worship in Egypt Jan. 24, 06 Seyfo: Report of Conference at the House of Commons about the Armenian and Assyrian Genocide Jan. 24, 06 BRITISH FILM PREMIERE. 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school supplies Jan. 5, 06 Iraq Election Despair Spreads To Expatriates Jan. 5, 06 Assyriologist, Erica Reiner Dead at 81- 1924-2005 Jan. 4, 06 The Last Assyrians Jan. 3, 06 Egypt Appoints First Christian Governor in Three Decades Jan, 3, 06 If Only Rocks Could Talk!  Jan . 2, 06 Car bombs, fuel riots usher in New Year in Iraq Jan. 1, 06 Errors in Biblical Dating According to Ancient Assyrian records January 1, 06 December = Canoon Gadmaya Many treasures looted from Iraqi museum still lost  Dec. 30, 05 Don't Blame the Hanukkah on the Assyrians  Dec. 30, 05   Revised  Kurds Are Flocking to Kirkuk, Laying Claim to Land and Oil Dec. 29, 05  Iraq's jailed former deputy PM Aziz gets family call for Christmas Dec. 28, 05 Family of Kurdish Historian Accuses Barzani of His Murder Dec. 28, 05 The arrest of Dr Kamal Sayid Qadir emerges as a key test of Kurdish Regional government Dec. 28, 05  Christians trying to find a place in war-torn Iraq  Dec. 28, 05 Hopes for peace in Iraq this Christmas Dece. 26, 05 Assyrians make sure Iraq pays attention Dec. 26, 05 Christmas Celebrations in Turkey Dec. 26, 05 Fearful Christmas in Baghdad Dec. 25, 05  Bullet-riddled body of Iraqi student leader found Dec. 25, 05 Iraqi Government Wishes Christians Merry Christmas Dec. 24, 05 For Iraqi Christians, Christmas represents church, family, fears Dec. 24, 05 Christians celebrate a wary Christmas in Baghdad  Dec. 24, 05   Iraqi Christians Pray and Brace for Election Outcome Dec. 24, 05 Safety fears hang over celebrations in Iraq Dec. 24, 05 Fear overshadows Christmas joy in Baghdad December 23, 05 U of T pharmacology postgraduate student from Woodbridge Came to Canada from Iraq in 1996 Dec.23, 05 Democracy in Iraq or Ethnic cleansing of the Christians? Dec. 21, 05 Sunnis, Secular Shiites Threaten Boycott Dec. 21, 05 Large Assyrian Turnout in Iraq Election Marred By Kurdish Voting Fraud Dec. 21, 05 The Real War On Christmas Dec. 19, 95 Iraq Expats Narrowly Favor Christian Assyrian Slate Dec. 19, 05 Concern expressed for Assyrian Christians in Iraq  Dec. 18, 05 Iraqis Vote in Historic Election toward Freedom, Democracy Dec. 17, 05 Turkmen Complain Kurds Cheated in Elections in Kirkuk Dec. 17, 05 Touch of Assyria in San Jose. Dec. 16, 05 Iraqi Christians flee to Jordan, Syria in response to increased persecution Dec. 16, 05 The Mid-East's beleaguered Christians Dec. 16, 05 Exiled Iraqi Christians Vote With Concern About Their Future Dec. 15, 05 Tension Mounting on Day of Iraqi Elections Dec. 15, 05 Iraqi Americans Cast Their Votes Dec. 14, 05 Information about Voting in Canada Dec. 14, 05 A vote for democracy 12, 14, 05 Iraqi expatriates to vote in elections, hopeful new government can end bloodshed Dec. 13, 05 Iraqi Americans Ponder Role in Homeland's Vote Dec. 12, 05 Iraqi-Americans ready for polls Dec 12, 2005   The Latest information about Iraq's Out-of-Country Voting Dec. 12, 05 Between Iraq and a hard place, Iraqi Christians in Syria Dec. 12, 05 Half a Million Iraqi Assyrians (including Chaldeans and Syriacs) have taken refuge in Syria Dec. 11, 05 Assyrian Claims Discussed in Australian Parliament Dec. 11, 05 Iraqis here get voice in Baghdad's future Dec. 11, 05 Official Information about Iraq's out of the country voting Dec. 10, 05 Iraq's Voting in Canada Dec. 10, 05 Iraqi community to cast votes at fairgrounds in Pleasanton Dec. 9, 05 Fostering creativity in dangerous times Dec. 8, 05 Meet Miss World Canada 2005, Ramona Amiri Dec. 8. 05 IRAQ: KURDISH PRESIDENT OFFERS REFUGE TO CHRISTIANS  Dec. 8, 05 Iraq Establishes 8 Polling Centers in the U.S. 12, 8, 05 News From Iraq Dec. 8, 05 740 Stained with the blood of our Martyrs Dec. 6, 05 Kurdistan Democratic Party Stops Assyrian Group From Campaigning Dec. 6, 05 Campaign activity, insurgent violence rise in Iraq  Dec. 5, 05 Myths About the Situation in Iraq Dec. 5, 05 Competition for the best design of the Ancient Assyrian Costumes Dec. 3, 05 List of "Reported" Assyrians murdered in Iraq in 2005. Dec. 3, 05 Dylan's quest: Six-year-old needs blood matches Dec. 3, 05 Shades of voter apathy Dec, 2, 05 Holywood Tapestries Featuring Semiramis is on Auction  Dec. 2, 05 Iraq's Oily Referendum Dec. 1, 05 Iraqi Parliamentary Elections In California Dec. 1, 05    Archives