An atmosphere of fear and intimidation
Shukria Barakzai seemed (cautiously) optimistic in 2005.
2002 was a splendid year for Afghan women, a year begun with the formation of the interim administration…As the country becomes more pacified, we receive more and more requests for Women’s Mirror throughout Afghanistan. Three years later, our goals, commitments, and principles remain largely the same: the development of Afghan women.
The BBC talked to her last June.
For the past three months, Afghan female MP Shukria Barakzai has been receiving a letter saying she may be targeted by a suicide bomber in the next six months. The cryptic government letter contains an intelligence warning that Ms Barakzai’s life is under threat and she should be careful. She is one of six MPs getting such a letter these days. “That is all that the government does – send a letter by mail once every month saying my life is under threat. There isn’t talk of even providing security.”…Barakzai says she is being targeted by “various elements” because of her speeches against the country’s warlords, her support for women’s rights and for her criticisms of Pakistan. “I am going crazy. My friends are telling me to leave the country.”…When you consider that two women journalists have been killed recently in and around Kabul, you realise that even women of influence and power in Afghanistan live and work in fear under threats from warlords, the Taleban and other insurgent groups. Six years after the departure of the repressive Taleban this is the paradox of women in Afghanistan. They now have a say and a position under the country’s constitution. But they have to work in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
With journalists getting the death penalty merely for downloading material about the role of women in Islamic societies – yes, I would call that an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
It is very disheartening to read about the threats that have (by the goonda’s) been placed on the lives on these very dedicated women. Their courageous efforts are certainly being put to the penultimate test. It would be such a shame if Shukria Barakzai had to flee her country. But in light of what happened to Benazir Bhutto these tallibanish goonda elements really mean business when they send her cryptic letters saying that her life is under threat.
“My friends are telling me to leave the country.”
Despite everything, I would say exactly the same to Shukria Barakzai. She is a mother – and for this reason she owes it to her children.
If Shukria does not heed the warning Government letters, she will playing only with fire.
“If you flee, you may NEVER be able to come back”
Tingey,
The United States and Afghanistan signed a strategic partnership agreement committing both nations to a long-term relationship. So could not Shukria & her family go there to seek protection.
If Shukria stayed on on her country and ignored Government warnings she could be making her children orphan’s quicker than she thinks. Only Betsy knows what may become of them as a result. They could suffer (at the hands of the Taliban goonda’s) the same dreadful fate as the rest of their young compatriots.
“I worked with a lot of survivors – who had survived because they got up and ran “
Did you work with survivors in a professional capacity or as a voluntary worker?
“Theresienstadt” Sounds frightening!
Though, still, I could listen to them all day and night regaling their experiences.