Dear Friends, Unfortunately I was not able to participate in this important event in person. It has been several years now that I have been actively involved in exposing the cultural and religious backing of the crime of so called honour killing of women in Islamic and backward tribal societies. It is heart breaking to report these crimes and it is even harder to describe the brutality of brain washed family member against their daughters and wives. But my experience in exposing these crimes through visual media, such as Television shows, resolutions and conferences are necessary but not enough, we need to have plan of action to change situation on the ground. We need to engage the youth through university & high school student associations both in the west and in the land of origin. We need to engage University professors and high school teachers to promote debates among students, to find path ways to challenge the backward criminal tribal and religious cultures in regards to respect to human life in general and women’s life in particular.We need to challenge these reactionary and barbaric traditions in its strong hold, the family, this should break the cycle of poisoning the minds of young boys to become future killers of their sisters or other loved ones. At the same time, we need to pressure governments both locally and internationally to pass laws to protect women’s lives from perpetrators (“honour” killers), also to arrest and prosecute any one who attempts committing such a crime. I will promote these ideas through my weekly TV Program Rahai Zan , (Emancipation of Women TCV Program) via satellite covering North America, Europe and Middle East for our Farsi speaking audience. I wish you the best and success in fighting this uphill battle.I would like to thanks Houzan Mahmood and her colleagues for organizing this important events. 

Best Wishes

Mino Hemati

Producer / Anchor of weekly TV program: Rahai Zan

Friday, April 11, 2008

http://www.Rahai-Zan.tv