The Rape and Murder of Zahra Kazemi (choice, creation, Revelation)

[Darkdale]

I just finished watching a Discovery Times program on politics and culture inside Iran, a large focus of which was the politics around the rape and murder of Canadian photo-journalist Zahra Kazemi. What I did not know was how complicated and screwed up Iranian politics really are; and how unstable the relationship is between Iranian Hard-Liners and Reformists.

We don't know who is responsible for the torture and murder of Zahra Kazemi, because the Iranian Hard-Liners prevented the body from returning to Canada for independent autopsy. Here is an excellent article, I was just wondering if anyone was familiar with this case and what everyone thought about the actions of the Iranian government:

Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi died in Iranian custody on July 11, 2003, almost three weeks after she was arrested for taking pictures outside a prison during a student protest in Tehran.

Two days later, Iran's official news agency reported that Kazemi had died in hospital, after suffering a stroke while she was being interrogated. On July 16, 2003, the story changed. Mohammad Ali Abtahi, Iran's vice-president, conceded that Kazemi died as a result of being beaten.

Later, the Iranian government would charge an Iranian security agent in Kazemi's death. He was acquitted of a charge of "quasi-intentional murder. In July 2004, Iran's judiciary said the head injuries that killed Kazemi were the result of an "accident."

The case stayed under the radar screens of most Canadians until March 31, 2005, and the stunning revelations of Shahram Azam, a former staff physician in Iran's Defence Ministry. He said he examined Kazemi in hospital, four days after her arrest.

CBC New Indepth: Zahra Kazemi

[mr.guy]

Her son put her photos up at some montreal libraries; didn't go long before some groups started to protest some of her work and it's public display. (she also snapped shots of palestinian camps).

[Darkdale]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

Her son put her photos up at some montreal libraries; didn't go long before some groups started to protest some of her work and it's public display. (she also snapped shots of palestinian camps).

Why were people protesting her photography? On the documentary I saw her sound said that he felt like displaying her photography gave her a voice and kept the mystery of her death alive... so, what's there to protest?

[mr.guy]

Montreal's a pretty political town...palestinian/isreali conflict need little motivation to erupt there. Palestinian "sympathy" is often shut out; on this occasion, most complaints were reserved until alot of the media attention to the issue had died down.

[michel]

I pray she is with God; this is an awful inditement on what I can only call barbaric behaviour..........There ar plenty od deaths we know nothing about; this one was in the public eye, bacause of who she was..it is so dreadful that in this day and age...well, what can one say ?

[Darkdale]

Originally Posted by mr.guy

Montreal's a pretty political town...palestinian/isreali conflict need little motivation to erupt there. Palestinian "sympathy" is often shut out; on this occasion, most complaints were reserved until alot of the media attention to the issue had died down.

It's a shame people can't take political positions without compassion for those who think differently. I'm a big supporter of Israel and I think the Palestinians have been in the wrong for years... but, that doesn't prevent my heart from feeling sadness when I see how much suffering they must experience. Which is why I support the creation of a Palestinian State. That's off topic.

Iran needs to find an identity and they have a choice between the West and the Arab World. The place of religion in the Middle East will determine whether or not we are in the middle of a world war or not, or at least it seems.

[michel]

Originally Posted by Darkdale

I'm a big supporter of Israel and I think the Palestinians have been in the wrong for years... but, that doesn't prevent my heart from feeling sadness when I see how much suffering they must experience. Which is why I support the creation of a Palestinian State. That's off topic.

It is, and it is one of those subjects I treat with ".......where Angels fear to tread"; even just on this forum, there are people who feel too strongly about this for me ever to want to start a thread on this.

[mr.guy]

Why not Micheal? It's about time we allow to hear from a muslim who's first statement need not be apologist. I've seen little allowance for anything else.