Here is the link of my new blog that will focus on my MA final project “The ladyboys of Tahiti”, a 20 minutes video documentary.
The case of Amina El Filali created huge controversy in Morocco after the teenager forced to marry her rapist committed suicide. Following the scandal, the Islamist government announced a possible revision of the rape law. However, recent declarations show that officials may have changed their mind as Raïssa Ioussouf reports.
Married and living in the house of the man who raped her, Amina El Filali, 16, drank rat poison after being severely beaten by her husband. The young girl from Larache in North Morocco died on the 10th of March, two days after the celebration of women’s day.
Amina’s story sparked an important mobilization from feminists groups campaigning for the abolition of article 475. That provision of the penal code states that an attacker of a minor can escape prosecution if he marries his victim. Mustafa Fallaq, Amina’s rapist, only agreed to the marriage to avoid being sentenced for his crime.
Women’s rights groups have denounced the practice that allows a victim to marry her attacker to preserve the honour of the woman’s family. In Morocco, it’s still unacceptable to lose your virginity outside marriage whatever the reason. Therefore, families are often advised to take that option by court officials.
Filali’s father declared to AFP during a sit-in in Larache “I didn’t want to go see the judge to marry them. But my wife forced me. She told me it was necessary so that people would stop making fun of us, and silence the shame.”
‘Amina is my Bouazizi’
Amina is certainly not the only teenager forced into marriage after being raped but her story created unprecedented media attention and public outrage.
Houda Belabd, an Egyptian journalist working for the website Yabiladies says “Amina is the first case of its kind who managed to mobilize feminists and human rights activists from all over the world. Now, rape cases in Morocco that took place right after Filali’s case benefited from a different sort of vision and attention.”
In an article entitled ‘Amina is my Bouazizi’, Moroccan blogger Medhi B. Idrissi compares the teenage girl to the street vendor in Tunisia that set himself on fire to protest against police abuse. Mohammed Bouazizi is credited to be the catalyst for the revolution that overthrew Ben Ali.
Medhi writes: “Bouazizi might’ve started a political revolution; But Amina has triggered the awakening of the long sleeping humanitarian in me. Thousands of girls like her are spread above our ground, most of them silenced by force and threat.”
Has Amina’s desperate act changed the condition for women in Morocco in the same way Bouazizi transformed Tunisia? Her death certainly shed light on the work of militants groups who have been advocating the abolition of article 475 for years.
Feminists groups: the fight for change
Beyond a revision of this provision, activists for women’s rights are now hoping to achieve deeper reforms in Morocco.
“In the short term we want to change the law that gives permission to the judge to marry the rapist to their victims,” said Houda Chaloun, organizer of the RIP Amina campaign. “In the long term we completely want to change the penal procedure which is very discriminatory towards women on rape cases mainly but also on the violence against women, on the marriage and so on…”
The feminists want to modify a country that cultivates a modern image but is still lagging behind in the area of gender equality. The new constitution that was adopted in July 2011 forbids any form of discrimination and yet fails to apply this principle. When it comes to inheritance, a woman only gets half of a man’s share.
The example of the Arab Spring probably encouraged militants groups to ask for more change, but such ambition could be counterproductive, thinks the Moroccan blogger using the pseudonym IBN Kakfa.
The internet user and legal advisor also believes that those who fight for a better condition of women and minors should be more specific and focus on sexual crimes and assault on children before turning their attention to other subjects.
“If you also discuss the age of marriage and marital rape, people could say you raised Amina’s case in order to change family laws in general. If you try to reach a too wide target you risk loosing everything.”
A backtracking government
The improvement of women’s condition in Morocco and the modification of the legal system require the support of political power. However, the Islamist government seems reluctant to amend the controversial article 475.
Initially though, the emotion generated by Amina’s case forced ministers officials to announce a revision of the rape law. “We can’t ignore what happened, one of the things we are looking for is to toughen the sentence for rape,” declared the Moroccan communications minister Mustapha el-Khalfi to Al Jazeera.
The only female member of the government, Bassima Hakkaoui, Minister of Solidarity, Woman, Family and Social Development recognised that the law was a “real problem” and suggested a debate to modify the text.
But those encouraging declarations may have been just a way of defusing the unrest. The Minister of Justice, Mustapha Ramid now casts doubt that Amina was raped and Bassima Hakkaoui backtracked on her previous declaration.
She declared to the website Yabiladies that “the article 475 of the penal code will not be repealed overnight because of pressure from international public opinion. Sometimes, the marriage of a victim to her rapist is not necessarily a real prejudice.”
Strangleholds of society
With such positions, it is not surprising that the minister did not support the propositions of reform made by the NGOs. “She was very clear that she will not take the project herself for the law at the government stage,” deplores Houda Chaloun, organizer of the RIP Amina campaign.
“Her arguments were that society still want to marry young girls and even victims to their rapists and that we need to follow how the society behaves. I am completely against this statement; I think that the law should reform the society,” added the activist. 41,098 acts of underage girl’s marriage were concluded in 2010, up 23.59% over 2009.
Beyond the legal aspect, Amina’s story highlights the morals of a country that holds a very traditional perception of women. Experts explain that article 475 is actually about non violent ‘abduction’.
“The history behind comes from ancient French law and was reserved for people seducing minors away from the parents in order to marry them. The article is not about rape but it has been misinterpreted, that’s the strange thing about it,” analysed legal advisor Ibn Kafka. “If you read the law the way it should be read, that case should have never risen. So it’s society, it’s the mentality.”
Amina’s rapist is free and probably nobody will be jailed for what happened to her, but the shock caused by her suicide certainly shook Moroccan mentalities.
“The mobilization is less important than at the beginning of the case for the simple reason that the message has been heard, or almost heard. Yet, the rape of a young Moroccan girl aged 16 from a town near Larache has driven her to kill herself like Filali,” said Houda Belabd, journalist for the website Yabiladies.
“The teenager ended her life because her family wanted her to marry her rapist ‘to chase away the shame’ like the people from the countryside inMoroccokeep saying. A great effort in the area of awareness is needed.”
Dessin: Dominique Defix
Dieu que cette campagne présidentielle est chiante. Et ridicule. Les sommets du grotesque ont été atteint avec cette nouvelle obsession du gouvernement pour la viande halal. Le candidat Nicolas Sarkozy a osé affirmer sans ciller que le halal était “le premier sujet de préoccupation des Français” contredisant au passage bon nombre d’enquêtes d’opinion.
Les journalistes étrangers doivent sans doute s’imaginer que la passion des Francais pour la gastronomie est telle qu’elle parvient même à influencer une campagne électorale. Cette énième controverse a provoqué les habituels commentaires scandalisés de la part des médias et des adversaires politiques de l’UMP.
Pour ma part je constate que je suis lassée. Les polémiques s’enchaînent et se ressemblent à tel point que je suis plus indifférente qu’indignée. C’est dangereux me direz-vous, c’est sans doute de cette façon qu’on s’habitue aux persécutions. Mais le fait est que Sarkozy et son gouvernement ont banalisé l’islamophobie et le racisme.
Cependant il y a au moins un point réconfortant avec cette agitation autour de la viande halal. Il est désormais clair que la stratégie de surenchère avec le Front National est un échec. Parce que dénoncer la viande halal est un aveu de désespoir: l’équipe de campagne de Nicolas est à court d’idées.
C’est dommage pour Claude Guéant qui n’avait pas ménagé ses efforts. Le ministre de l’intérieur a enchainé les controverses avec une régularité de métronome. Le candidat Sarkozy a lui aussi mis la main à la pâte en promettant de réduire de moitié le nombre des étrangers en France (mais d’où sort ce chiffre?).
Pourtant, bien que l’embarras de Sarkozy me réjouisse, il y a une question que je ne parviens pas a chasser de mon esprit. Et si jamais Sarkozy et Marine Le Pen se retrouvaient face a face au second tour? Mes aïeux on serait pas dans la merde.
Premier ministre de la transition Omer Beriziky (source: http://www.madaplus.fr)
L’Union Européenne a décidé d’apporter son soutien politique et financier pour l’organisation des prochaines élections à Madagascar. Cette annonce représente une étape importante pour le pays qui traverse une crise politique depuis bientôt trois ans.
J’ai interrogé le premier ministre de la transition Omer Beriziky sur ce que représentait l’aide de l’UE et les solutions envisagées pour sortir le pays de l’instabilité. L’entretien a été réalisé le 21 janvier 2012, jour de la tentative avortée de l’ancien président Marc Ravalomanana de retourner au pays.
D’après les dernières négociation politiques, le président déchu pourrait retourner à Madagascar au plus tard le 29 Février et bénéficier d’une loi d’aministie.
Jenny Matthews (at the very right) shooting a demonstration in London
Should women report from war zones? It’s a question that has been asked often – most recently following attacks on two female journalists in Tahrir Square during the Arab Spring.
But could being a woman on the frontline also have certain advantages?
I have been speaking to two female photo reporters who believe so:
The interviewees: Poulomi Basu and Jenny Matthews are both freelance photographers who have done work around women and conflict.
J’ai longtemps procrastiné avant de publier un article en français sur mon blog. En effet, si on peut pardonner mon style d’écriture en anglais, je ne suis pas sûre qu’une telle indulgence soit de mise lorsque j’écris dans ma langue maternelle.
Pourtant, un nouvel élément a eu raison de cette résistance : le retour en force de Nadine Morano. Celle qui est notre Ministre chargée de l’Apprentissage et de la Formation professionnelle me fascine profondément. Oui parfaitement.
Pourtant, peu de personnes semblent partager ma passion. Ces derniers temps, Morano est d’ailleurs attaquée de toutes parts.
Tout d’abord le 4 janvier de cette année, la ministre invitée à La Matinale de France Inter se fait sévèrement clashée par Sophia Aram. Dans sa chronique, l’humoriste qualifie Nadine Morano de «vulgaire».
Le jour suivant, c’est sur BFM TV que la politique se fait tancée. Interrogée sur le taux de TVA de l’Allemagne la ministre tente un coup de bluff mais se trompe. Elle s’attire ainsi les commentaires acerbes de Jean-Jacques Bourdin qui l’accuse de « ne pas maîtriser le sujet » et de dire des « bêtises ».
Pire, Nadine Morano est copieusement moquée pour sa présence hyperactive sur Twitter. Pourtant son compte c’est une tuerie. Car Nadine parle vrai. Ses followers ont l’opportunité de lire des propos inspirés tels que: “José Garcia sur TF1, J’adore!!!!” ou encore “Bon c’est vrai je ne suis pas une miss France mais je suis quand même une élue de France et une Ministre de France :-)”
Nan mais sérieusement? Je n’arrive pas à décider si ce type de communication dessert l’ UMP ou lui est contraire bénéfique. Que la reine des bourdes soit restée aussi longtemps au gouvernement reste une énigme impénétrable. Mais plutôt que de s’attarder sur ce phénomène, je vous propose de rendre hommage à la ministre en visionnant ses plus grands moments:
Nadine Morano, muse du rap français
Nadine Morano a été et se fait d’ailleurs toujours critiqué pour ses propos tenus lors du débat sur l’identité nationale. Elle avait précisé ce qu’elle attendait du “jeune musulman” : “c’est qu’il aime son pays, c’est qu’il trouve un travail, c’est qu’il ne parle pas le verlan, qu’il ne mette pas sa casquette à l’envers”.
Au-delà du tollé engendré, on oublie souvent que cette contribution a en partie inspiré la chanson “Casquette à l’envers” du groupe Sexion D’Assaut.
Nadine Morano confond Renault et Renaud
Si Nadine Morano aime le rap, elle ne discrimine pas pour autant les autres types de musique. En voici pour preuve cette vidéo: interrogée sur l’affaire d’espionnage du constructeur automobile Renault la ministre répond: “J’aime Renaud sur certaines chansons, pas toutes… Celle-là, je ne l’ai pas entendue. Je ne peux pas vous dire si je l’aime ou pas”. Une gaffe qui a inspiré bien des internautes.
Nadine Morano au marché
Celle-ci me laisse sans voix. Je vous laisse donc découvrir par vous même…
From the Arab Spring to the death of Colonel Gaddafi and from the DSK scandal to the Eurozone crisis, 2011 has been filled with loads of events and some media already wonder if it could be an historic year. Because of the remarkable news profusion, some stories have been left out and didn’t get the attention they deserved. Here are the headlines you may have missed out:
1. The Congo war
Image: Justin Duff (Flickr)
Officially, the war in Democratic Republic of Congo ended in 2003 with the signature of a peace treaty. However, the Eastern part of the country remains in turmoil and rape is used as a systematic weapon. Eastern Congo has been named “rape capital of the world“ by U.N. Special Representative Margot Wallstrom. 48 women are raped every hour according to reports.
2. The Americans troops leave Irak
Image: Aaron Escobar (Flickr)
On December 17th, the last US forces quit Irak ending a 9 year old conflitct that killed ten of thousands of Iraqis. The withdrawal was soon followed by sectarian violences as the 22nd of December, a dozen car explosions killed at least 60 people in Baghdad. The country is also facing a political crisis opposing the Shiite majority and the Sunni.
3. Famine in the Horn of Africa
Image: IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation/TURKEY (Flickr)
In July, the charity Save the Children begins a fund raising campaign for East Africa. The hunger crisis is described by the United Nations as the worst drought in 60 years. Ethiopia and Kenya are among the affected areas but the war-torn Somalia is particularly hit by the situation. Despite signs of improvement, the UN estimations in November show that a quarter of a million people are under the risk of imminent starvation.
4. Riots in China
afp.com/Mark Ralston
On the 20th of December, Residents of the Southern town of Haimen took to the streets to protest against a coal-fired plant. The demonstrators claim the project causes pollution and is bad for their health. In response, Riot police fired tear-gaz and beat them. Some protesters claim a 15 year old boy has been killed. A week before, the neighbouring village of Wukan was defying the authorities against illegal land grab. The University of Nankai estimates that 90 000 riots happen each year in China.
Image: cover of Rolling Stone
On January 27th, this Ugandan gay activist is beaten to death with a hammer after receiving threats. In October 2010, Rolling Stone, a newspaper from the capital Kampala, published pictures and details of gays and lesbians in Uganda including David Kato. Hatred against gays in Uganda is really strong. Being homosexual is illegal with punishments of 14 years in prison. The parliament even considered including the death sentence before changing its mind.
6. Ayman al-Zawahiri new head of Al-Qaida
Image: Andres Pérez (Flickr)
On the 16th of June, he is appointed as the new leader of the organisation. He succeds to Osama Bin Laden who was killed by US special forces in May. The Egyptian surgeon is considered by some experts to be the “operational brain” behind the 9/11 attacks.
7. Saudi women can vote
Image: Robert Reed Daly (Flickr)
On 25th of September, Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah announces that women will be able to vote and run for local elections in 2015. This represents a big step for women liberalisation in a country where they are ban from driving or travel abroad without the permission of a male guardian.
8. French handball team won the World Championships
Image: Panoramic
France beats Denmark 37-35 on the 30th of January winning their fourth worlchampionships title.
9. Ecstasy doesn’t damage the brain
Image: Grumpy-Puddin (Flickr)
Contrary to common belief, Ecstasy doesn’t cause brain damage a study has shown. The experts responsible from the research estimate the previous studies that claim the opposite were flawed. Just to be clear, this doesn’t constitute an encouragement…
10. The world ends… Or not
Image: Laughing Squid (Flickr)
May 21st at 6 p.m. was supposed to be judgment day. Followers of the prophecy were expecting to be taking into heaven by a process called The Rapture. Turns out the Earth decided to contradict Harold Camping’s prediction who claimed he saw the date of the world destruction in numerological calculations. The religious leader managed to convince quite a few people who organized themselves accordingly for the apocalypse. At least they are ready if the world does cease to exist on December 21st of 2012.
