The uprising in Iran following the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini by the "morality police" has been going for 13 days. Dr Kamran Matin discusses the situation.
hijab
Islamophobia in France has been growing in strength for many years, but has dangerously accelerated in recent weeks, writes John Mullen.
The following statement by a group of international socialist feminists in solidarity with Iranian women’s struggles was initiated by the Alliance of Middle Eastern Socialists on February 10.
The Socialist Alliance in Australia is among the signatories.
Laws punishing women for wearing the burqa and the niqab in public were passed by the Belgian lower house of parliament on April 29. A similar law has been discussed by French President Nicholas Sarkozy, and the French National Assembly passed a non-binding resolution in favour of a ban on May 11.
These laws have been pushed by right-wing governments on the basis of security needs and protecting national identity, but the laws have also been justified as promoting equality for women. On this basis, the laws have received support from sections of the left and the feminist movement.