Female lawmaker Fatemeh Rahbar tells Rooz that members of the women's rights movement have not communicated any of their demands to Majlis representatives. She adds that if editors of the recently suspended Zanan magazine take their complaint to the Majlis, lawmakers are willing to examine their case. Below is an excerpt of this interview.
Rooz (R): What are the major differences between female MP's in the sixth Majlis and female MP's in the seventh Majlis?
Fatemeh Rahbar (FR): The sixth Majlis was more controversial. In the seventh Majlis there are female MP's who are working silently under the guidance of Islamic jurists to change some of the laws in favor of women. They are working calmly and silently, and are removed from political and factional bickering.
(R): How does the seventh Majlis view movements such as the One Million Signatures Campaign to Change Discriminatory Laws?
(FR): Unfortunately, some movements were formed inside the country that did not communicate with us in any way. It would have been much between if a formal channel of communication was opened with the Majlis. We in the Majlis were willing to examine their demands within the framework of Islamic laws and the regime's interests. But, unfortunately, such communication never took place because the responsibility to communicate was on their shoulders.
(R): What is your opinion on the suspension of Zanan, one of the oldest women's magazines in Iran?
(FR): In our country we have laws that everyone must abide by. I hope that if Zanan committed an unlawful act it realizes that it did so. God willing, this problem will be solved in the press court after both sides bring up and discuss their worries.
(R): As a female MP, have you followed up on this issue?
(FR): No, look, the legal process is taking place. As Majlis MP's we are not supposed to involve ourselves in every issue and disrupt the legal process. If a complaint is submitted to us we will review it, but we have not received any complaints yet.
(R): If the magazine's editors contact you, are you willing to assist them?
(FR): Yes, the Majlis door is open to everyone. Anyone who accepts us as a representative is welcome to come and we will examine their complaint within the framework laid out by law.
