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Afghanistan: Investigate the Assassination of Zakia Zaki

Please take action to help protect the safety of women in Afghanistan. Ask President Obama to use his influence with the Afghan government to ensure that women are protected by law and that perpetrators of violence against women are prosecuted. PDF Format | RTF Format (Word)

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Barack Obama - President

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Dear (recipient name),

Since the fall of the Taliban, important strides have been made towards greater human rights for the women of Afghanistan.  We appreciate your 2005 visit to Afghanistan, when you urged the Afghani government to further expand opportunities for women and girls.  Sadly, two years on the safety of women who dare to exercise these rights is highly precarious.  Women in the public sphere still live and work under enormous risk.

There has been a series of high-profile attacks against women in Afghanistan this year.  Radio station owner Zakia Zaki was known to be vocal against warlords accused of atrocities in Afghanistan, and consequently received multiple threats on her life. In June, was shot dead while sleeping aside her two young sons.  Six people have been arrested in connection with her death, but little progress has been made towards bringing the alleged perpetrators to justice.

Ms. Zaki’s tragic death was not an isolated incident; her killing only highlights how dangerous it still is to be an Afghan woman in the public sphere.  There is an enormous need for sustained support and protection of Afghan women who speak out, and who champion women’s rights.  Meanwhile, many perpetrators of crimes against women are treated with impunity. The police, the courts, and other justice sector officials seldom address threats to women’s safety, including sexual violence.

Women victims and defendants have little recourse to justice and are discriminated against in both the formal and informal justice systems.

Please renew your pledge to support the rights of women in Afghanistan, and to use your influence with the Afghan government to ensure that women are protected by the law and that perpetrators of violence against Zakia Zaki and other women be prosecuted.

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