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THE INTERNATIONALNETWORK       FOR THE RIGHTS OF FEMALE VICTIMS       OF VIOLENCE IN PAKISTAN   (INRFVVP)     Responses to Open Letter to General Pervez Musharraf  (25 February 2000) EDITOR'S NOTE:   There have been a number of responses to Dr. Riffat Hassan's "Open Letter" to General Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan," published in PAKISTAN TODAY (February 25, 2000) and put on the listserv on March 3, 2000. Some of these responses have been put on the listserv. Given below are excerpts from other communications which have been received.  These were either sent to the listserv or to Dr. Hassan.     INRFVVP is grateful to all those Members, Friends and Supporters who have taken the time to write. In order to bring about a significant change in the negative ideas and attitudes toward girls and women widely prevalent in Pakistan, it is necessary to necessary to engage in serious reflection as well as discussion on fundamental underlying issues. All readers of our listserv are urged to participate in the ongoing discussion. We are grateful to PAKISTAN TODAY for its continuing support. Dr. Hassan's "Open Letter" may be seen at its website (www.paktoday.com. under "Community") and responses to the letter may be sent to INRFVVP or to mail@paktoday.com. `Thanks for including me on your list. I am really impressed with your initiative and courage in bringing this issue to the the attention of the Chief Executive ands others . It is obviously having an impact. Congratulations" Dr. Nafis Sadik (Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, who had been the Executive Director of the historic International Conference on Population and Development at Cairo in 1994) "Your letter to General Musharraf was superb.  It was firm and rational with no trace of bitterness or anger." Professor Ralph  Braibanti. (James B. Duke Professor Emeritus, Duke University, and a  leading authority on Pakistan) "Congratulations upon the fact that you seem to have been able to coax the new Pakistan administration into decisive action re 'problems relating to women', as is said euphemistically! Especially the fact that 'the Government of Pakistan has also decided to set up burn units at district level' and that 'existing facilities in major hospitals will also be expanded' is quite stunning! Again, our heartfelt congratulations." Frank Stevens, Friend INRFVVP Outreach Department Amnesty International, The Netherlands "Fantastic news!!!  I'm so thrilled.  Great work" . Giselle Portenier, Member INRFVVP (Producer of the BBC documentary "Murder in Purdah"/ABC Nightline's "A Matter of Honor") "It could not have been better. We wish that the present day rulers in Pakistan  have understanding and gutts to take the challenge" Professor Shams ul Islam, Member INRFVVP (Director, Nishant Street Theatre Group, India) "Judging by the e-mail traffic and the responses you have created quite a stir" Nazim Karim, Member INRFVVP "I must say  your words to the General were very powerful and moving... as I have said before, you are a blessing of God who has come to do great things....Please keep me informed on things, as I continue to find a means of working with you and your people..In the  matter of the letter to the General (as well as the whole effort put forth by you) allow me to express my deepest admiration and appreciation to you for giving your life to such a worthy cause.  Although I am a Catholic, born and raised in a country which has provided many wonderful opportunities, I've been fortunate enough to cross paths with one of God's chosen people, Dr. Hassan. Studying under you for over half a year now, I've been introduced to the many challenges facing the Islamic communities around the world, namely the rights of women.  Your recent letter to Pervez Musharraf only amplified the seriousness of the situation with Muslim women in Pakistan. It has become increasingly apparent that such a letter holds many truths to it.  Truths that must not simply be acknowledged, but also attended to.  I feel certain that many great things will come as a result of such a sincere letter, and the impact it will soon come to have on the issue with women in Pakistan will be unbelievable.  Please know your effort is not going unmet, nor is your influence.  You and your life-long work have had more impact upon my life than any other teaching I've ever experienced. Best wishes and God's blessings be with you." Stuart Mouser, Member INRFVVP (Student, University of Louisville) "Thanks for the very meaningful information. I will surely share it with the like minded people. Hope all you undertakings are blessed  Sister Nasreen Daniel, Member INRFVVP "My name is Myra Hamid and I am a sophomore from Islamabad at Hamilton College, a liberal arts college in Central New York.....I was forwarded your open letter to General Pervez Musharraf by my uncle in Lahore and was very touched upon reading it, by the sincerity and truth of your words. As one who loves Allah and Islam, and is strongly attached to Pakistan, I find the current state of affairs there extremely distressing and frustrating. I saw one of the ABC Nighline documentaries that you mentioned in your letter and was highly disturbed by the content of it, specially the parts where men involved in or supportive of honor killings defended their position in the name of Allah. I  would like to become a member of INRFVVP, and would appreciate it if you could include me in a mailing list .... I thank you for your open letter, which speaks for many of us, and hope that we can be in touch in the future. Myra Hamid, Member INRFVVP "This is Fantastic news! Congratulations to everybody involved in the law changing action  of the honor killings.  History is in the making and not a minute too soon !" Ginny Helsen, Member INRFVVP "I was touched by your letter to General Musharraf, and am extremely  pleased to read the 'Breaking News'.  I hope this is the beginnin of eradication of honor killings and similar barbaric customs." Professor Fariyal Ross-Sheriff "In the past few years, as more women enter the workforce in Pakistan, driven no doubt by the harsh realities of living in a mismanaged economy, there has been a corresponding increase in the number of cases of violence against women. Men in Pakistan are clearly threatened by women's increasing independence -- ironically forced on them by necessity, and not by any Western-influenced yearning for freedom. But this is a tide that cannot be stemmed -- more women will come out of their homes and work because they must earn a living. How do men cope with this threat -- for working women are a threat to them. They turn to violence -- and clearly, honour killing has little to do with honour and more to do with an increasing sense of helplessness at the perceived threat of women becoming more powerful and in control of their lives. Men in Pakistan get away with honour killing because society looks the other way. In the minds of the law enforcing agencies, the courts and the political leaders, it is always the woman's fault and she must have "had it coming" for daring to be independent i.e. for venturing out of her home, for making choices, for earning her own livelihood. If every man who killed a woman over his so-called "honour" was held accountable and severely punished, then men would think twice before they harmed women in this country. They do it because they can get away with it -- it really is as simple as that. The judiciary needs to be strengthened and stricter laws need to be passed in this regard. If General Musharraf really is sincere, let him hang one man hang for killing a woman and we will know that this government means business." Rina,  Pakistan "Your letter to General Musharraf was excellent.  It was clear, comprehensive and convincing." Saleem H. Ali, Member INRFVVP Martin Sustainability Fellow & Doctoral Candidate Massachusetts Institute of Technology Date: Sun, 02 Apr 2000 16:05:27 -0400 Dr. Hassan, A friend recently forwarded to me your letter to Gen. Pervez Musharraf published in Pakistan Today.  I was deeply moved by the eloquence and sincerity which came across in your letter. I felt as if your letter had captured so much of my own experience of having spent most of my life in the west, but still having very close ties, emotionally and spiritually to Pakistan. I too have experienced a sense of pain and loss over the dire situation of Women's Rights violations in Pakistan and the apathy the government has demonstrated time and time again over honor killings. Pakistan indeed, as you stated, was founded on true progressive Islamic principles, but unfortunately nepotism and power has led to many complex layers of corruption. I find it very frustrating to sit here in the west and be aware of the deeply rooted probems in Pakistan but not able to work towards a solution. I am originally from Pakistan and feel committed to universal human rights violations. I feel compelled to get involved in the human rights efforts in Pakistan, particularly now since there may be hope of establishing some semblance of peace and justice in the country.  I would be interested in getting involved with INRFVVP in any capacity. I am an immigration attorney in Washington, DC and have worked with asylees and victims of domestic violence from South Asia. Please do keep informed in any upcoming conferences or events on women issues from the subcontinent, particularly Pakistan. Thank you for your efforts and commitment to women's rights in Pakistan. I look forward to hearing from you. Warm Regards, Leena Z. Khan Subject: Women's rights. Date: Tue, 4 Apr 2000 Assalamo alaekom, I recently came across a letter that you wrote to Pervez Musharraf on the above topic. I want to commend you and thank you for addressing this crucial issue. I believe that women's empowerment is perhaps the single most effective way to bring about a positive social change in our society. I am interested in learning more about your organization and it's work. I will be grateful if you could send me some information and give me your website's address. Sincerely, Khalid Riaz. Date: Wed, 05 Apr 2000    Dear Riffat, I am pleased to note that your supplications have found a sympathetic hearing from Gen. Musharraf. I hope you continue to argue for the removal of all outmoded and oppressive laws in Pakistan against women. Regards Ishtiaq Ahmed She deserves a chance!   INRFVVP  P.O. Box 17202,  Louisville, Kentucky 40217, U.S.A.  Telephone: 502-634-6754  Fax: 502-637-4002.