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A call for freedom

So much for freedom in Afghanistan....... For Westerners to see someone sentenced to death for downloading material about women rights from the internet comes as amazing news. But the execution of an Afghani for doing just that is astounding and drawn condemnation from around the world. That freedom and democracy being brought to Afghanistan doesn't seem to be working!

The Independent reports:

"The world's most powerful woman has added her voice to the campaign to save the life of Sayed Pervez Kambaksh, the Afghan student journalist sentenced to death for downloading material on women's rights from the internet.

Condoleezza Rice, the US Secretary of State, promised yesterday to raise his case personally with the Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, which would significantly raise the international pressure for his release.

Ms Rice, who was in London for talks with Gordon Brown and David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, on the West's Afghanistan strategy said: "I do think that the Afghans understand that there are some international norms that need to be respected. Of course, one has national laws and they're national laws that are in accordance with traditions and religious practice. But there are international norms, and I'll certainly talk to President Karzai about this case."

You can read the complete piece here - and also sign The Independent's petition.

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