Washington, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mark Begich (D-AK), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Al Franken (D-MN), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry asking him to urge Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi and other members of the United Nations to renounce the statements made against women by the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist movement in Egypt. Recently, the political arm of the organization issued a statement denouncing legal rights and basic equality for women.
“The recent Muslim Brotherhood denunciation of legal rights for women, including inheritance rights and the right to file legal complaints against their husbands for rape, was repugnant and contrary to the leadership Egypt has traditionally shown in the advancement of human rights. We should be steadfast in our condemnation of those that attempt to justify or prevaricate over any form of violence against women,” the senators wrote.
The senators continued, “We respectfully urge you to call on fellow members of the United Nations to renounce these offensive statements and continue your efforts to make women’s rights a global priority, especially when working with our allies in the Middle East.”
The senators also urged Kerry to encourage President Morsi of Egypt to renounce the Muslim Brotherhood’s statements.
“Please encourage President Morsi to rebuke those who dishonor women by denigrating their status in Egyptian society and reaffirm the statement of his Deputy Prime Minister that women stand as equals in Egypt calling for “freedom, dignity, democracy and justice,” and urge President Morsi to ensure that the Egyptian Government will continue its efforts to strengthen the legal protection of women,” the senators wrote.
