An Afghan court sentences a 24-year-old former journalism student Parwez Kambakhsh to twenty years in jail for asking questions in class. According to Islamic law, he could have face the death penalty. His crime was asking questions about women’s rights. Kambakhsh’s lawyer was unable to question potential witness’s until the night before the trial. One of the witness’s testified that he was forced to testify against Kambakhsh or face expulsion from school by one of the professors. Kambakhsh may appeal the ruling.
In a country where we can say just about anything and face little if any consequences I think we sometimes take freedom of speech for granted. It seems that some are quick to cry violation of free speech anytime they are not allowed to say anything. I’ve even had someone accuse me of violating his first right to free speech by moderating comments that I felt were inappropriate.
HT: CNN
The Dee Zone 
Wow! A good reason to live in America! We have a lot to complain about right now, but nothing compared to this. Really makes you think about things…
LikeLike
Rebecca: That is what I was thinking. We have religious differences in this country but we are free to disagree in a peaceful manner.
LikeLike
Excellent point, Dee. It does seem that people in the US complain about free speech being denied even under ludicrous circumstances.
LikeLike
I think sometimes in this country there a tendency to take freedoms to the extreme while at the same time failing to understand with great freedom comes great responsibility.
LikeLike
Thanks for covering this story.
LikeLike
SNM: You’re welcome.
LikeLike