NEWS BRIEFS

 

 

 

PRO-TALIBAN ELEMENTS IN PAKISTAN TERRORIZE PROGRESSIVE THEATRE GROUP

 

The pro-Taliban elements and their political patrons have made an issue of a play by the progressive theater group Ajoka called  “Burqavaganza’, which was staged in Lahore in March 2007. Five MMA MNA members used extremely provocative language in the legislative house on April 26, 2007 against the writer/director of the play and director of Ajoka, accused them of ridiculing Islam; they demanded action against them under blasphemy laws. Although several MNAs from Government and Opposition including women MNAs wanted to speak on the motion the speaker did not allow them. The Minister for Culture Mr. G.G. Jamal announced that the Government had banned the play and further action will be taken after a report from the Punjab Government is received. The speaker did not prevent the members from using defamatory language against two leading theatre practitioners Shahid Nadeem and Madeeha Gauhar.

 

”Burqavaganza” is a satirical play, which uses Burqa as a metaphor for double standards and cover-ups in the society. The play shows all characters (men and women) wearing burqas, including politicians, terrorist leaders and policemen. The play focuses on gender discrimination, religious extremism, terrorism,love marriage and media programs promoting intolerance. The play had been staged in collaboration with the Lahore Arts Council and the Executive director of the Council greeted the cast at the end of the play. On great public demand the play was again staged on 18 April at the Panjpani Indo-Pak Theatre Festival at ArtsCouncil, Lahore.

 

The Ajoka has solicited international support, which can be done by writing to General Pervez Musharraf President of Pakistan. (The Constitution House Islamabad, Pakistan Fax: +92 51 922 1422)

 

DISGRACEFUL TREATMENT OF CANADA’S ABORIGINAL KIDS

 

According to news reports (The Gazette, April 27, 2007), a Senate Committee found Canada’s treatment of its a children “a national total disgrace”.  Citing acute poverty, poor health, high suicide and school dropout rates, and the large portion of aboriginal children in state care, the (Senate) report called for an array of economic and social assistance on and off reserves (areas designated for aboriginal Canadians) to provide the dignity and the care promised  in the children’s treaty. Senator Raynell Andreychuk, the Senate human rights committee’s chairwoman, said that half of the 22,000 children in Canada who are  waiting to be adopted are aboriginal, while the aboriginal population has been reduced to only 3 per cent of Canada’s population.

  

THE US SENATE LINKS MILITARY FINDING TO TIMED US WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ

 

The US Senate by a vote of 51 to 46 passed legislation on April 26, which seeks to start withdrawing US troops from Iraq by October a day after the House of Representatives passed an identical bill tying $124 billion in military finding to a strict timetable for ending the war in Iraq. President Bush is likely to use his veto power to bypass these legislations which came through because of the Democratic majority in both houses.  

 

ANNIVERSARY (73RD) OF THE IRAQ COMMUNIST PARTY CELEBRATED

 

A public meeting was held at the International People’s Stadium in Baghdad on Saturday 31 March 2007, to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the Iraqi Communist Party.

The hall was packed with about 10,000 people despite the difficult security situation in the Iraqi capital. Central Committee members attended the event, with guest speakers representing the Iraqi President and the Parliament Speaker, as well as many messages from political parties, democratic and civil society organisations. It was significant that a large number of participants were young people.

The political and cultural program included speeches, poetry and songs. The Central Committee speech was delivered by Politburo member  Mohammed Jassim al-Labban.

Similar events took place in other provinces throughout Iraq, including Basra (about 2000 people attended), Nasseriyah, Diwaniyah, Hilla, Kut, Karbala, Najaf, Nineveh province, as well as Iraqi Kurdistan (Sulaimaniyah, Halabja), and many districts. Iraqi CP organisations abroad also celebrated this occasion.

The celebration this year has acquired a special significance, demonstrating once again the determination of Iraqi Communists and democrats to continue the fight to defeat anti-people forces, sectarian violence and terrorism, end the occupation, achieve full national sovereignty, and build a unified democratic and federal Iraq. 

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