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Rita Mahato
Human rights defender Rita Mahato has been threatened with death, rape and kidnapping as a result of her work helping women in Nepal who have suffered acts of violence. She is a health adviser at the Women's Reabilitation Center (WOREC), which has been attacked by men from the village who object to WOREC's work. The police have failed to provide Rita Mahato with protection or to investigate the threats, and she fears for her life.
Mahato continues to receive threats and to face discrimination in her community as a result of her work for WOREC. She has been told that a woman who is not educated should not be doing a man's job, and that men can force women to go back to where they belong. She feels threatened, and she fears she may be killed. Yet, she continues her crucial work defending the human rights of women.
for more information on Mahato and WOREC . . .
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http:/
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Clearly a woman with this much courage deserves our support. People around the world recently stopped the stoning execution of one woman in Iran. This proves that we can make a difference, if we decide to work together.
Please join us in this cause. We must keep working together to help women fighting injustice everywhere, especially in nations where women are silenced and face death for working for the basic human rights of women there. We need to add our voices to Rita's and the other women who work at WOREC in Nepal.
TAKE ACTION NOW!
Please send politely worded letters to the Inspector General of Police, calling on him to take all possible measures to ensure the protection and safety of Rita Mahato, and urging authorities to develop a national plan of action to implement the UN Human Rights Defender Declaration enabling human rights activists to carry out their legitimate work without fear of reprisals. Write to:
Ramesh Chand Thakuri
Inspector General of Police
Police Headquarters
GPO Box 407
Naxal, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Fax: 011-977-1-4-415-593
Email: info@nepalpolice.gov.np
Salutation: Dear Inspector General
(my letter, please feel free to copy it and send it to the Inspector General. )
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Dear Inspector General,
Please provide Rita Mahato and her fellow workers at WOREC the protection they need to do the very important and legitimate work they do. People around the world are concerned with the safety of Rita and others at WOREC.
I'm sure you agree that no one should be forced to live in fear simply because they are trying to help their fellow human beings. I respectfully ask that you give Rita Mahato and the others at WOREC as much protection as is needed so that they can carry on their work in peaceful conditions, and without fear. Thank You for your time and consideration of this request.
Sincerely,
( your name here )
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Or write your own, but keep it respectful or we may end up doing more harm than good. Emails are OK, but hand written letters are more impressive. I hope you will take a few moments to send this letter, or your own. We can make a difference.
PS,
This woman's courage is awe inspiring. I will keep BHW posted on any news regarding her situation.
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To the wrongs that need resistance, To the right that needs assistance, To the future in the distance, Give yourselves.
Carrie Chapman Catt
