Canada must intervene in case of Afghan execution: Green Party

OTTAWA – The Green Party says Canada must exert diplomatic pressure to prevent Afghanistan from executing Sayed Pervez Kambaksh, an Afghani journalism student convicted of blasphemy and slated for execution.

“Prime Minister Harper must act immediately to urge Afghan President Karzai to intervene and pardon Mr. Kambaksh from execution. Canada must help to convey the message that the international community finds such draconian action against a journalist unacceptable and unconscionable,” said Green Party leader Elizabeth May. “This attempt to stifle freedom of speech and the continued abuse of justice and human rights offend Canadian values.”

Mr. Kambaksh, a 23-year-old journalism student, was accused of blasphemy after he downloaded a report from a Farsi website stating that Islamic fundamentalists who claim the Koran justified the oppression of women had misrepresented the views of the prophet Mohammed. The tract was distributed to fellow students and teachers at Balkh University with the aim, he said, of provoking a debate on the matter. Students complained to the government and he was charged and convicted without legal representation.

Green Party human rights critic Joe Foster said Mr. Kambaksh’s conviction is also being viewed as a further attempt to claw back the rights gained by women since the overthrow of the Taliban. In August last year, the Green Party urged the re-instatement of woman MP Malalai Joya, who was suspended after openly criticizing the warlords who dominate Afghan Parliament.

“Canada supports Afghanistan in the goals of building security and developing a democratic society respectful of justice, human rights and the equality of women,” said Mr. Foster. “Canada does not support capital punishment under any circumstances. We therefore urge Mr. Harper to indicate, Canada’s displeasure with the treatment of Mr. Kambaksh and the Afghan government’s failure to reverse the trend that sees fundamentalists extremists and warlords increasing power.”

The Green Party is also urging Canadians to demand Mr. Kambaksh’s life be spared by signing the petition at www.independent.co.uk/petition.