This need not be a big thing – start a conversation, write a letter or email or just educate yourself a little on something you always wanted to learn about but havent found the time to yet.
I think it helps us all to remember that global politics is not about governments and war, militaries and large scale economies even though these institutions might dominate headlines and many have become obsessed with the notion that only governments can ‘do’ things – as we are seeing in Egypt, Libyia and other countries right now it is so very much more personal than that.
Global (and regional, and local) politics is about each and every individual. No mattter how big the scale of the politics – it is people who are at the centere of the issues.
It’s about people.
It’s about mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.
It’s homes and jobs and a right to live and work freely without fear of persecution.
The following is one ’cause’ I’d like to share with you for IWD 2011:
FREE ROZITA VASSEGHI – DETAINED FOR HER FAITH
An Iranian Baha’i woman living in Australia has received threats for advocating for the release of her sister Rozita Vasseghi, who has been held in solitary confinement in Iran since she was arrested in March 2010. Rosa Vasseghi has lived in Australia since she received asylum in 1999. She and her family have been outspoken about her sister’s innocence, expressing particular concern for Rozita’s rapidly declining health.
From the article published in The Australian on October 1:
“Her only crime is being a Baha’i,” says her sister, who was herself imprisoned and tortured for her religious beliefs before escaping Iran in the 1990s.She said Rozita’s arrest followed a trip she made to Australia in 2008, where they were reunited for the first time in 11 years. “It was after she came to Australia they accused her. She was accused of being a spy and insulting Islam because she travelled overseas,’ Rosa Vasseghi told The Australian. She said for the first three months her sister had been in a cell with no mattress or blanket. Their 70-year-old mother had been able to see Rozita three times for a few minutes at a time. On the last visit, two months ago, she barely recognised her daughter as she had lost so much weight, was in intense pain and could barely walk.Rosa Vasseghi said when she had been talking on the phone to her mother two weeks ago, a man’s voice had cut into the phone line and told her: “One day it will be your turn. Your time is also coming.” On a second occasion she had been told: “We will get to you, too.”
Not sure how to take action? here are some ideas:
1. PUT ROZITAS CAUSE ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA SITES:
download a profile badge to show support for her and her family —
Click here to download the badge.
To save the badge, right click the picture and select “Save As”
2. send an e-letter to various IRI and world officials urging Rozita’s release.The e-letter can be found here:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6160/action/save-rozita-vasseghi
3. Understand the issue – READ MORE ON THE PERSECUTION OF IRANIAN BAHA’I FAITH HERE
purplescones 