Malalai Joya, the Afghan parliament member suspended for criticizing colleagues, should be reinstated, Human Rights Watch said this week. The organisation also urged parliament to revise parliamentary procedures that restrict freedom of speech.
Last Monday the Lower House of the Afghan parliament voted to suspend Joya for comments she made in a television interview on May 20. It is unclear whether Joya's suspension will run until the current parliamentary session ends in several weeks or whether she will be suspended for the remainder of her term in office, which ends in 2009. Several legislators have said that Joya also could be sued for contempt.
"Malalai Joya is a staunch defender of human rights and a powerful voice for Afghan women and she shouldn't have been suspended from parliament," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. He said Joya's comments don't warrant the punishment she received, nor do they warrant court proceedings.
Joya had criticized the parliament for failing to accomplish enough for the Afghan people, saying, "A stable or a zoo is better [than the legislature]; at least there you have a donkey that carries a load and a cow that provides milk. This parliament is worse than a stable or a zoo."
On May 22, a recorded version of Joya's interview was shown during a parliament session. Afterwards, a majority of her colleagues decided she was guilty of violating Article 70 of the Afghan legislature's rules of procedure, which forbids lawmakers from criticizing one another. Joya is accused of the specific crime of "insulting the institution of parliament."
Human Rights Watch noted that members of parliament regularly criticize each other, but no one else has been suspended. "The article banning criticism of parliament is an unreasonable rule that violates the principle of free speech enshrined in international law and valued around the world," said Adams. "The Afghan parliament should be setting an example by promoting and protecting free expression, not by stamping it out." Human Rights Watch urged the Afghan parliament to take steps to revise Article 70 and ensure that elected representatives can speak freely without fear of suspension or lawsuits.
Joya, 28, is the youngest member of the Afghan legislature. As a 19-year-old refugee in Pakistan, she taught literacy courses to other Afghan women. During the Taliban years, she ran an orphanage and health clinic in Afghanistan. In 2003, she gained international attention for speaking out publicly against warlords involved in drafting the Afghan Constitution. Two years later, she was the top vote-getter from Farah province in Afghanistan's parliamentary elections, and was easily elected to the lower house of the legislature.
Since her election, Joya has continued to be an outspoken defender and promoter of the rights of Afghan women and children. She has called publicly for accountability for war crimes, even those perpetrated by fellow parliamentarians. Joya has survived four assassination attempts, travels with armed guards and reportedly never spends two nights in the same place. "Joya is an inspiring example of courage," said Adams. "Afghanistan's international friends should not hesitate to speak out in her defense."
It's stories like these that make us realize how far we still have to travel with respect to democracy and equality.
Posted by: awareness | 30 May 2007 at 05:31
Meant to add - "or both!"
Posted by: tinker | 28 May 2007 at 07:30
What a shame! I wonder if the reason only she was censured, is because of her youth or because she's a female...
Posted by: tinker | 28 May 2007 at 07:29
I guess the truth hurts!!!!
Democracy without free speech? they have a long way to go yet.
Posted by: Colette | 28 May 2007 at 00:48
I recently saw a documentary with Malalai Joya, and I was really, really impressed by her work. She seemed almost fearless, but is actually paying a huge price for her work, as the assassination attemps demonstrate. The world really needs more brave women like Joya.
Posted by: HildeC | 28 May 2007 at 00:13
Choosing not to speak is so differnt from not being allowed to speak. You'd think as human beings we'd have learned to respect one another more than that.
Posted by: Mary | 27 May 2007 at 22:20
It is incredible that voices are still quelled all over the world. I'm proud of her speaking out. JP
Posted by: JanePoe (aka Deborah) | 27 May 2007 at 19:11
Interesting...I think her words could be used in any government in one form or another...lol
I'm not much into politics but I do believe in freedom to speak. They can cover the mouth but they can't stop the mind.
Posted by: Jennifer | 27 May 2007 at 16:41