Letter from Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani
- Posted by Beth on May 12th, 2008 filed in General, International, Islamofascism, Journalism, Petitions, Politics, Support this Yemen
Following up on the call for democracy and press freedom in Yemen, Jane from Armies of Liberation passes on this letter from Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani:
Thank you very much for this campaign, which comes in the context of the overall values that we believe, and they punish us when we believe those values and adopt them. I do not want to talk about myself, but rather the environment that we live in and suffering we endure from the inconsistency between what the authorities announce about democracy and freedoms, and what happens when we believe in those same things, democracy and freedoms.
They want us to practice our rights as they understand them, but we do it ideally. The regime said that democracy is the way of ruling, but when we try to practice our rights within this concept, criticizing the way that the regime governs and how they act, then they deal with us in a way that has no relation to democracy. They deal with us as outlaws. They use all of the state’s resources to attack anyone who has any opinions not corresponding with their opinions, and to attack those who even discuss their way of ruling.
What I am suffering and facing is part of the price I and many others pay for the democracy and freedom we hope to achieve in the future. At least we are preparing for a healthy environment that we want the next generation to live in. We believe that democracy and freedom have an expensive price, and this is a part of that price.
However that doesn’t mean we will keep silent and bend, as it is the price. We will refuse injustice peacefully. Solidarity is a way to enhance new civil values which support the democracy we will make with our sacrifice and with the support of others. We pay the price of the freedom for ourselves and for the generations after us. Again, thank you very much for your help and support.
Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani
Sana’a, Yemen
(Feel free to post or forward. Link to the one-click letter campaign: http://campaigns.aicongress.org/yemen/
Background article: http://www.menassat.com/?q=en/news-articles/2492-fearless-yemen )
If you have not yet sent a letter, PLEASE do so here. All you have to do is “sign” your name and send, and your name can be kept off the internets if you wish.
Two minutes, two clicks, and you’ll have made a difference.
A list of blogs supporting al-Khaiwani and media freedom in Yemen is here. If you post on this (and please do!), let Nicki know and she’ll add you to the list.
Sign a letter to the Yemeni government protesting his upcoming sentencing.
Let Mr. al-Khaiwani and his family know you appreciate his efforts to bring democracy to Yemen.
Bloggers Unite Action: Save Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani | MY Vast Right Wing Conspiracy says:
[...] groups expressing opposition to the Yemeni governments suppression of freedom. Please also see this post with Abdulkarim Al-Khaiwani’s thanks to those who have and who will sign the letter. [...]