The Afghan human and women's rights fighter the government doesn't want you to hear.

[Better Believe It]

Run time: 10:33 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9La2DIFD2m0   Posted on YouTube: October 27, 2009 By YouTube Member: lauraflanders Views on YouTube: 7077   Posted on DU: March 21, 2011 By DU Member: Better Believe It Views on DU: 202

 
Dec.17, 2003, Loya Jirga in Kabul

When her time came to make her 3-minute statement, she tugged her black headscarf over her hair, stepped up to the microphone, and with emotional electricity made the speech that would alter her life.

After she spoke, there was a moment of stunned silence. Then there was an uproar. Male mujahideen, some who literally had guns at their feet, rushed towards her, shouting. She was brought under the protection of UN security forces.

In a nation where few dare to say the word "warlord" aloud, Joya had spoken fiercely against a proposal to appoint high clergy members and fundamentalist leaders to guide planning groups. She objected that several of those religious leaders were war criminals who should be tried for their actions—not national heroes to influence the new government.

Today, as a result of her legendary actions, Malalai Joya has become popular hero in Afghanistan. She speaks at rallies where thousands of people carry her photo high.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLC1KBrwbck&feature=related

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Female Afghani Activist Denied Visa to Visit US
Malalai Joya, a women's rights activist, was set to speak alongside Noam Chomsky at Harvard
By Monica M. Dodge, CRIMSON STAFF WRITER
March 19, 2011

Malalai Joya, a former member of Afghanistan’s parliament and a celebrated women's rights activist, was denied a travel visa to the United States Wednesday and will be unable to make her scheduled appearance at Harvard on March 25th.

The U.S. embassy explained its decision by saying that consular officials had denied Joya a visa because she is unemployed and currently living underground, but those organizing the event said that these claims should not be grounds for barring her from a visa.

Sonali Kolhatkar—co-director of the Afghan’s Women’s Mission, a U.S. based non-profit—said that the claim that Joya is unemployed is startling because Joya is a published author and spends the majority of her time as a social worker involved in projects in her local community. She added that the reason that Joya lives a life underground is because of the numerous threats that have been made against her, including five assassination attempts.

Kolhatkar said that the visa denial came as a complete surprise to the organizers of the event as Joya has done four book tours in the United States, most recently in October of 2009. In the past, Joya has not had a problem obtaining a visa.

Read the full article at:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2011/3/19/joya-visa-decision-harvard-chomsky/#