The Independent offers a blog where hundreds of people commented on this, eh, situation. Some express extreme relativism of the kind "It's their culture or world, let them do their crimes, we shouldn't comment". These are often followed by racist comments of the kind "This is a bunch of primitive barbarians: let's forget them in their desert!". Of course, many are not amused, and some even remind us of the people we also kill.

Personally, when I was informed of this young man a few days ago, I reached such a level of outrage, that I was beyond anger: with rather a feeling of focused determination.

In any case, below are my comments on that day (on the UK blog):
i) My outrage is complete
and ii) on extreme relativism versus human solidarity.

Prime minister Harper abandoned, in utter silence, the courageous outspoken afghan MP Joya (ousted from her democratic mandate by a simple hands-up vote).

Will he abandon this young man who simply opened his mind and heart to others?

NATO member-states have the power to stop this and —though I am against imperialism and NATO— should speak out loud. Their war propaganda claims they wish to help afghan girls, soldiers are dying for this, so I will not forgive any silence anymore.

My outrage is rather complete. Brute force bereft of wisdom falls to ruin by its own weight (Horace). For the people who die defending rights and freedoms, if Harper and coll. do not intervene, I pray outrage shall spread like a wildfire amongst the people and make these conservative governments (Bush, Harper...) fall to ruin.

On the positive side, I am happy to see we are quite many to be touched and vocal [well, on that UK web site anyhow].

About "extreme" relativism
(It's their culture-religion: we shouldn't comment)

If people in the USA do something I find incompatible with fundamental rights, I will speak out, politely, or harshly if they are murdering or torturing people (see Bush). Likewise, if US Christians say or do things that are incoherent with their claims to follow the words of Jesus (a historical figure, murdered by the empire and religion of the time, with a simple or clear message, no?), I will criticize them even if they represent another culture-religion in a foreign country. Their frontier is no reason to pretend I'm not seeing the oppression.

If someone across the street is being raped, should I pretend I can't see? No, I should at least scream out. Yet, if there is a national frontier in the middle of that street, some so-called relativist claim we suddenly lose our right to speak.

The people of the world have the right to speak and criticize any government and any culture. In my case, I prefer to criticize my own government, for obvious reasons of direct democratic responsibility, and it so happen the Canadian prime minister claims he is waging war for the rights of women and afghan girls.

Michaël Lessard [me laisser un message]
Quebec City
Human rights activist.

Siriel-Média: média libre sur les 'politiques de destruction massive'

Karzaï has "saved his life" : this young man, who downloaded a document from Muslims who discusses womens' rights, has been condemned to 20 years in prison. What is life currently is an Afghan prison?

As a Quebecer and Canadian, my limits have been reached by this "Canadian" government qui tolerates such grave human rights violations with a word.

A ferocious campaign in Canada is in order.

Michaël Lessard [me laisser un message]

Calendrier de la démocratie en action, Québec Chaudière-Appalaches

Siriel-Média