Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, in an important show of solidarity with the international movement for women's rights, spoke out against the Taliban's treatment of women. Speaking at the California Governor's Conference for Women, Ms. Albright pledged U.S. support for women and girls in Afghanistan stating that the rights of women must be included in U.S. foreign policy. She also responded to the claim by some that the treatment of women in Afghanistan is part of Afghan culture, stating, "I say it is criminal and we each have a responsibility to stop it." Albright sent a clear message to the Taliban that the treatment of women is threatening U.S. and other international relations.
5/22/2013 Immigration Reform Bill Advances In Senate - Last night, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a sweeping immigration reform bill in a bipartisan vote of 13 to 5. . . .
5/22/2013 Afghan Women Arrested for 'Moral Crimes' Increases 50% - A new report by the Human Rights Watch shows that in the past 18 months the number of women in Afghanistan incarcerated for 'moral crimes' has increased from 400 to 600, a 50% growth.
Many of the women imprisoned for moral crimes were arrested running away from forced or abusive marriages and families, even though there is no law against leaving. . . .
5/22/2013 Army Commander Suspended for Adultery Amid Wave of Sexual Assaults - On Tuesday, Brigadier General Bryan T Roberts was suspended from his position as commander of the Fort Jackson, South Carolina training camp which trains approximately 60% of incoming female recruits pending an investigation into allegations of adultery.
Roberts was suspended following allegations of "adultery and a physical altercation." Colonel Christian Kubik, an Army spokesperson for the Training and Doctrine Command, told reporters "We don't have any evidence of any sexual assault. . . .
