Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the arbitrary detention of woman human rights defender Mary Akrami on 14 July 2008. Mary Akrami is a member of the Afghan Women's Skills Development Centre (AWSDC) and is an advocate for women's rights in Afghanistan.

Further Information

Posted 23 July 2008 On 14 July 2008, Mary Akrami went to the office of the Attorney General, Abdul Jabbar Sabit, to accompany a woman who had been summoned there to a meeting. The woman had been referred to the AWSDC after seeking advice from the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MoWA) when she left her husband. The Attorney General reportedly raised his voice at the woman and ordered her to return to her husband immediately, before accusing Mary Akrami and the AWSDC of supporting prostitutes and insisting that its members must pay the penalty. He then ordered that both women be detained. Mary Akrami was detained for three hours before being released. No official reason was given for her detention.

Front Line believes that Mary Akrami was detained as a result of her legitimate and non-violent activities in defence of human rights. In view of these reports, Front Line expresses its serious concern for the security of Mary Akrami, the other members of the Afghan Women's Skills Development Centre, and all those working in defence of women's rights in Afghanistan.